A Cowards Heart: A Meal for Two

Description: Sanji makes a meal he's sure will make Nami love him, so how come he ends up sharing it with Zorro? A sweet Sanji/Zorro fic. Comments encouraged!

Disclaimer: Fan fiction means it is done by a fan-not by the actual owner. This is fan fiction.

Sanji flicked his cigarette into the ashtray he set up on the side of the trash can by the kitchen counter. The dish he was about to prepare was tricky and if one stray ash hit the pan he would not be a chef worthy of Namis' love!

He gazed at the counter filled with the ingredients needed for his culinary masterpiece, all fresh and of the highest quality. Still his eyes lingered lovingly on the cuts of rare North Blue Beluga Swordfish. He had lucked out while they were still in port and discovered a specialty fishmonger. This particular fish was said to release hidden passions! The blond cook swooned as he pictured a few of the ways Nami could potentially release her inner passions toward him.if the rumors were true of course.

Meanwhile on deck, Nami called the rest of the crew together. "Tomorrow Morning, the tide and wind will both be with us. If you have any business on shore, tonight is your last opportunity. We already stocked the boat this morning so you can relax. However!! I can't stress how important it is to come back by 9am or we'll miss this chance. So,(she looks directly at Luffy)Don't get lost. (She turns to Zorro) Or get into a prolonged fight. (Then to Uosopp and Choppa) And any other trouble that lurks in town, just try to avoid."

"We will!" Cry Uosopp and Choppa together. Uosopp considers a moment. "Shouldn't we ask the captain about this?" Everyone looks to Luffy who happened to be picking his nose at the moment. "Then again what use is a navigator if you don't listen to their advice?"

"Wise words, Uosopp!" Nami assured in a tone usually only reserved when Sanji does a good deed for her

"Let's get Sanji and go! I wanna seee the Townnn! " .Luffy whined in an endearing if slightly annoying way.

"Hey." said Zorro in such a way that the flurry of action that had begun, suddenly stopped. Everyone looked to the usually quiet swordsman for an explanation. "The cooks birthday is tomorrow, so if you haven't got a gift.now is a good chance."

"WHAT!!!!!??" yelled everyone collectively, shaking the boat. Sanji looked up from the pan briefly. So noisy, but figured whatever the ruckus they'd call if it concerned him. Better to be active and work up an appetite.

Action exploded on deck. Luffy started slapping his feet together. "Party! Party! Party! Party! Party! MM! Good food!"

Uosopp put his hand on Luffys shoulder. "Wouldn't it be rude to make the cook, cook for his own party?" Luffy looked perplexed.

"That is what cooks do!" He answered. Meanwhile Choppa was wildly flailing around the boat looking for a possible present.

Nami however stood right in front of Zorro. "How do you know Zorro?" Zorro lifted his eyebrow with interest.

"Are you doubting me, Nami? I have no reason to lie. Anyway, isn't the important thing that shops will be closing soon?" Nami realized the truth to the words and grabbed her coat.

"We'll leave you to distract him, Zorro!" Nami called as she pulled the rest of the crew off the boat. Zorro grunted. Nami didn't even consider that Zorro might have wanted to go to town too, or buy a present for Sanji. That was just like her. Zorro smiled a sly smile. He had already bought his present for their blond cook long ago when he first found out. It worked out perfectly now that that night just belonged to the two of them.

Zorro had to admit he was lucky though. He would have been hard pressed to answer how he knew the cooks birthday. The truth was about a month ago while at a different port, Zorro had over heard Sanji trying to get with apparently a fortune teller. Zorro had just been walking along looking for some food when he spied the blond talking with a very exotic looking woman in a booth off the main street. His curiosity got the best of him and he had started to eavesdrop behind a curtain.

"Your eyes are as bright and as blinding as the sun.." Sanji cooed coolly.

"When is your birthday, sir?" The beauty asked with a smile.

"A month from today I'll be twenty. Do you want to give me an early gift perhaps?" the young woman took his palm. And looked at it thoughtfully. Sanji couldn't hide his delight. Zorro looked on hidden behind some curtains and had to muffle his scoff. He hated when Sanji was like this.

"You run after women because you were separated from your mother before you could experience love from any woman." Sanji backed up like he was slapped in the face. "Since you never knew that love but briefly, you look to women like an exotic drink. However.tell me that you have not noticed a love for men as well!" Sanji put his hand over the womans mouth.

"That is ridiculous! Even if it were true, it's not like a swordsman would have any interest in a cook. Sorry I wasted your time, my mood for romance is gone." Sanji lit a cigarette and slinked out of the hut missing a hidden Zorro. The woman turned and faced the curtain where Zorro was hiding.

"If a swordsman did like a cook, the cooks birthday would be set up astrologically speaking for success." Zorro shuffled out of the curtain and nodded his head in appreciation. Zorro never thought of it before but that made sense. Every flirtation perhaps was ment to mend some of those broken bonds with his mom. Zorros relationship with his mom was similar but he had decided to become a strong fighter instead of a playboy.

Zorro chuckled to himself as he leaned against the railing looking out on the ocean. When he had first over heard this he didn't know why he was so relieved. Sanji was just the cook, one who got under his skin from time to time. A pretty face could manipulate Sanji. He is so innocent, no, that wasn't the word. Naive. Zorro had wondered many things over the last month and watched Sanji for answers. That month brought a whole slew of conclusions to him too. The cook meant something more to him he had realized. Tonight would be the night to see what would come of things.

---Chp 2 forthcoming soon! Sorry for the wait! I know I just gave you a taste but the next course will be awesome I promise.