Chapter Text
Zoro didn't expect to wake up after all of that...
But he does.
He wakes up, albeit slowly, in a dense and unfamiliar forest. The last thing that he remembers is pushing himself to his limit for his Captain and crew, before passing out in the midst of battle against a mysterious entity who claimed that it would take over their realms, whatever the hell they meant with that, either way, Zoro doesn't plan on letting that happen.
So with effort, because God does his body ache, he manages to stand up with a huff, and takes a quick look of his surroundings.
"Damn it, guess I'm lost...again. Well, at least it isn't my fault this time. Now, what should I do? Looking for some people might be the best choice for now."
At least he still has his swords, Zoro is glad to see this as he makes his way forward and through this forest, wary of any monsters that might be lurking around.
About half an hour later, he spots a figure in black on the forest floor, clearly unconscious. Upon getting closer, he sees that the man has disheveled black hair and a pair of strange gold toned glasses barely clinging to his eyes, and are those...bandages around him?
"Nah, it's just a scarf, awfully close to bandages though."
Zoro steadily presses two fingers against the man's wrist, relief flooding through him upon feeling a weak yet steady throbbing beneath them.
"Well that's a relief.
Zoro tries waking the man up with a few gentle shakes, it doesn't work. Zoro sighs, he can't find it in himself to wake this man up, so he searches for any injuries on the man.
He ends up finding a concussion and wound on the man's arm.
"Well I can't just leave you here, you look like you'll be useful. And...well, yeah, I don't abandon anyone.
With little effort, Zoro lifts the man onto his back, securing him in place before continuing to trudging. This man is awfully light, Zoro guesses that's a good thing, especially in this situation.
But what isn't a good thing is for this man to still be asleep when a wild clown looking figure pops out of a bush, teeth all red and sharp and menacing just like Zoro's swords, which are unsheathed by the green haired swordsman himself as he prepares himself to fight against this insane looking enemy.
"This would really be a good time for you to wake up, sleeping beauty...
And of course, the man doesn't budge. Zoro simply sighs before going for the first hit. "Hang on tight then."
The fight starts off well, with Zoro being able to keep himself steady despite having this man on his back, but things quickly get out of hand, even though Aizawa is light, it isn't easy keeping up with him on his back, and the clown takes advantage of this.
"Damn it..." Zoro grumbles, his grip tightening on his sword. "You're gonna have to wake up, you goddamn sleeping beauty!"
Zoro gritts his teeth before quickly placing Aizawa on the forest floor, but in a blink of an eye, the clown heads for the unconscious man instead before Zoro can counterattack him.
"NO!"
And then it happens.
The man finally wakes up.
Zoro can only watch with wide eyes as the man stands up with a start, his wide red rimmed eyes locking with the clown's own crimson ones. Then, all of a sudden, the clown falls to the floor, powerless, the man gives Zoro a knowing look and, with a nod, Zoro slices the head off the clown, blood staining the ground beneath the defeated threat.
"Now that that's over, mind if you tell me your na-
But the man's eyes immediately close again, Zoro catches him before he can hit the ground, another sigh leaving his lips as he once again hoists him onto his back.
"You know what? I don't even blame you, sleep some more, why the hell not, am I right?
The man doesn't wake up by the time Zoro spots another figure resting against a tree, one hand near his pocket, which makes Zoro feel uneasy.
He stops in his tracks, the figure notices his presence a few seconds later, and acknowledges him with a wary look.
"Who the hell are you...?
The man has unruly light brown hair, puffed up and Zoro has to hold back a laugh because it looks like an afro.
"Roronoa Zoro, professional swordsman. Nice to meet ya. And you are...?
The figure allows him to approach a few more steps, his hand instinctively heading to the hilt of his gun.
"Spike Spiegel, space bounty hunter, don't ask me anything else. And who the hell is that on your back? Your partner?
Zoro turns his head to glance at the sleeping man on his back, then turns back to Spike with a nod.
"You could say that. I found him unconscious a few miles back in this forest and-
"What's his name?
Damn, Zoro doesn't have time for this, questions have never been his favorite thing to answer, with a gentle shrug, he replies.
"Don't know, he passed out before I could get it.
"And you just...brought him with you like that?
Zoro furrows a brow at this.
"Why would I leave him?
Spike mutters something under his breath, gaze narrowing before it lands on Zoro again.
"You didn't think that he's probably a bad guy or somethin? That he'd probably stab you in the back if given the chance?
Zoro laughs at this, Spike looks bewildered.
"In the state I found him in? HA! Not a chance. Besides, he defended himself when needed, so I'm sure he's not a threat.
Spike narrows his gaze from Zoro, hesitation flickering in his eyes as Zoro dares take another step forward.
It turns out to be a mistake, a gunshot rumbles through the forest and Zoro staggers to the ground, causing the man to fall off his back and onto the forest floor with a loud thud.
"D-damn you! Why are you so damn...hostile!?
Spike glares at Zoro as he makes his way towards the man on the ground.
"I have my reasons, just like anyone else would. Hey, sleepyhead, time to wake up.
Spike kicks the man hard enough in the side to jolt him awake, Zoro growls in frustration, hand trying to stem the flow of blood that spills through his fingers. The man groans in pain, eyes opening slowly, before he can make a move, Spike grabs a handful of his black hair and pulls it up roughly, forcing their eyes to meet.
Upon seeing the man's eyes, Spike's hold on his hair loosens, much to Zoro's surprise and relief, but his gaze remains firm.
"Name and business, state them now.
Spike's gun presses against the man's temple, who groans in response before taking a few breaths and answering.
"Shota Aizawa...Pro...Pro hero at...at UA academy...
Spike releases Aizawa with a 'hmph', he looks calmer now, and his eyes have softened a bit.
Spike: Good, guess you weren't lying about him being in a bad state, huh swordsman?
Zoro glances at Aizawa, who's breathing heavily.
Zoro: (growls softly) Can't you see him? The hell do you think...? (Groans) Damn it...
Spike kneels beside him with an apologetic look on his face.
Spike: Sorry about the earlier hostility, I'm not easy to trusting people, you know?
Zoro: Yeah yeah...I should've known that, especially with the situation we're in.
Spike pulls a roll of bandages and some alcohol from his pouch.
Spike: I ain't no doctor, but I'll try my best to patch you up and make up for my hostile introduction.
Time passes-Zoro has been tended to!
Spike can't help but smile at his work, the flow of blood has been stemmed.
Spike: There ya go, how's that feel?
Zoro gives the bandaged spot a few gentle taps, and gives Spike a small smile before letting the bounty hunter help him stand.
Zoro: Much better, thanks I guess.
Spike: No problem.
Zoro: Hey, think you could patch Aizawa up to?
Spike nods, heading over to kneel Infront of Aizawa.
Spike: This'll be over soon enough, hero.
Time passes-Aizawa has been tended to!
Spike: (smiling triumphantly) All set, are the bandages comfortable for ya, partner?
Aizawa: (managing a weak nod) Yes...thank you...
Zoro: (approaching them slowly) He's still pretty weak and dazed...
Spike: He'll be fine by tomorrow, hopefully. So, why don't we get to know each other a bit more before we keep going?
Zoro: (smirks) Sounds good to me, Aizawa, wanna join?
They sit down on the fresh ground, with Aizawa sitting next to Zoro and resting his head on the swordsman's shoulder.
Aizawa: T-thanks but...maybe next time, yes...? (Drowsily)
Spike takes his hat off and places it on Aizawa's head with a reassuring smile.
Spike: That's fine, get some more sleep, partner.
Zoro: Yeah, we'll take watch over you, so rest easy.
Aizawa falls asleep in the next few minutes, Zoro and Spike get to know each other better, both bringing up the topic of their current situation.
They can only wonder where their respective friends are right now, if they're ok, if they've found other allies.
And most importantly, if they've figured out a way to fix this mess.
To be continued...