"We're only taking turns holding this world. It's how it's always been, when you're older, you will understand."
-"Trust me" The Fray
XxxX
September 1, 1939 marked the start of the Second World War. The allies against the axis powers. While in Europe countries were already fighting the axis army the United States of America was more reluctant to join. It was able to maintain isolation because it was an ocean away from the warring continent. It maintained formal neutrality until December of 1941.
XxxX
December 6, 1941
In a small apartment in Los Angeles, California a group of nine friends were enjoying a wonderful, if a bit chaotic, meal made by the hands of one Sanji Noir. The room was filled with noise as they group scarfed down their food, avoiding the sneaky hands of a black haired boy with a bottomless stomach.
They were celebrating the confirmation of Robin's new job as a historian at a nearby museum. Maybe it wasn't exactly the job she wanted but in this day and age it was about the best she could do and her friends were happy for her.
Luffy leaned back and sighed in content, patting his bulging stomach, "Sanji's food is the best."
The blond chef smirked as he collected plates from the table, "Your damn right it's the best," he said around a smoldering cigarette.
"Thank you for the wonderful meal Mr. Cook, and thank all of you for celebrating with me," Robin said pleasantly, smiling around the room.
"Anything for you, my lovely Robin," the chef said dramatically, wiggling in happiness.
"Yeah Robin, we wouldn't be very good friends if we didn't throw you an super get together!" Franky chimed in loudly. Luffy and Usopp raised their forks with a cry of agreement.
"Cook, booze," Zoro demanded, breaking the friendly atmosphere with a glare in Sanji's general direction.
At this the blond's expression fell to a glare, "If you can't ask nicely, Marimo, I'll give everyone else alcohol while you sit in misery," despite the threat he opened a cabinet and set multiple bottles onto the table and made no effort to stop whoever grabbed them up.
The evening passed quickly with heavy laughter and the warm buzz of alcohol. But all good things must come to an end and eventually one by one the friends left Sanji's apartment until only it's resident and the green haired man remained, both slouched in different chairs.
Sanji, who was fairly drunk by this time groaned in annoyance, "Why are you still here, you shitty green bastard?"
"Shut up, I'm sleeping here," Zoro laid back on the couch where he had previously been sitting.
"Tsk, you can't just invite yourself over. What if I don't want you here?"
"If you didn't want me here you would have already thrown me out." He grumbled, letting his eyes fall shut.
"Oh, really? Why would I want a moss ball like you around here?"
Zoro fixed Sanji with an intense stare, "I think you know why," he stated lowly.
The blond looked away wanting to avoid any direction this conversation would go, "I assure you I do not." although he did know.
"Then why do you look so uncomfortable?"
Sanji stood jerkily, "Fine. Stay. I don't give a shit," he picked up the empty glass he had been drinking from and walked over to the kitchen to do a bit of cleaning up before he passed out and had to do it tomorrow.
Despite the dismissive behavior Zoro followed Sanji into the kitchen, standing a bit too close to the blond and placing his hands on the other's narrow hips.
Said blond stiffen, his normally steady hands faltering, "Don't touch me, Zoro."
The green haired nuisance leaned closer, "Why not?"
Because this was a serious crime. Because they could serve up to ten years in jail if someone found out. Because he was straight. Because he didn't want to think about it. Because it made his stomach lurch. Because he was afraid of what was happening. Because. Because. Because.
There was a long pause filled by a stinging, unwanted emotion, "Because I told you not to. So let go before I kick you all the way back to fucking Japan," but the threat lacked malice. This... Thing was something that had been developing over the three years they had known one another. There had been much violence, denial, lots of denial, and screaming at each other but here they were, it was nothing new but unexceptable all the same. It still made Sanji feel slightly sick thinking about it too much. Although situations like this were not uncommon to him he felt he had to try to stop it even if he did not really want to. It made him hate himself.
"You're being ridiculous."
"I'm being sensible, you stubborn bastard."
"Fine," the Japanese man dropped his hands, "Just come to bed."
Sanji sighed and looked over his kitchen once before walking toward his bedroom, abandoning the dishes with a, "Fine, you win. Fucking jackass," ot that it took much convincing.
As they slept in Sanji's bed they fell asleep comfortably laying a bit too close.
XxxX
9:35 am
Sanji woke in a warm bed, an idiottaking up most it's space. He sighed wondering how it had come to this. He had a slight headache from the alcohol he had consumed but he knew he should start his day. After a few moments he resolved to get up and start breakfast. When he walked into the kitchen he turned on his radio. As he listened he flitted around the kitchen with purpose.
Sunday was his one day off, and he planned to start it off on a good note. He worked as sous chef in a high class restaurant but dreamed of owning a place of his own.
He was humming to himself, having just finished cooking breakfast when the Zoro walked in with a loud yawn.
"Just in time, Marimo," Sanji said as he set two plates of food onto the table. The other man grunted and started shoveling food into his mouth.
Sanji wrinkled his nose in disgust, "So how long do you plan on staying here?"
"Not long, I have to be at work by eleven," Zoro worked in a factory manufacturing ammunition for the European nations. The United States may not be at war but they were definitely involved in supplying the allies when they could. Working conditions were harsh and the pay was not great but it was the best he could do given that he had limited schooling.
Sanji hummed, resting his cheek against his palm and staring at the table, "We can't keep doing this, shitty swordsman." But he said this nearly every time and he surely did not feel like he wanted to stop any time soon.
"Sure we can," the green haired man grumbled stubbornly as he always did. Maybe things weren't perfect but this made them happy even if no one would approve.
"Someone is going to find out."
"Don't worry about it, shit-cook. It'll be fine," and with that he stood placing a hand on the blond's cheek, tilted up his head, and kissed him softly on the mouth, "Later."
The door shut softly as he left, leaving Sanji with an unpleasant churning in his stomach. He knew what they were doing was wrong and despite that he could not help but want to continue on this dangerous path anyway. No one could know. He would lose his job, his friends, his future... But he could not stop.
Sanji spent his day listening to the radio and doing mundane house chores. It was a perfectly peaceful day until the usual production of "The World Today" was interrupted.
"We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin," said the voice of a male announcer, "The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor by air, President Roosevelt has just announced. The attack was also made on all naval and military activities on the principal island of Oahu. We take you now to Washington." The announcement continued not giving any details but giving off the impression that war was looming just over head.
Sanji was shocked, he knew that tensions were high but was not expecting such an attack. The Japanese must be very confident to make such a bold move, he thought with concern.
Later that night the First Lady came onto the radio to address the public on the serious nature of the attack. As she spoke Sanji stared out his window down at the bustling city below. The clear sky had grown darker and cloudy, the people in the streets seemed to move more quickly through the streets. There was much confusion and tension, waiting to hear the details of the events. Dreading the impending actions and knowledge.
XxxX
December 8, 1941
Around twenty-four hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his speech before congress over the radio. Normally radios were not allowed to be played while working in the kitchen were Sanji was employed but everyone was waiting to hear from the president so it was allowed just for the day.
"Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
"The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
"Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
"It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
"The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, Americanships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
"Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
"Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
"As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
"I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
"Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
"With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
"I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
Not even an hour later the United States was at war with the Japanese empire. This news was highly concerning, not just in thinking about the future of young Americans but for the fate of Japanese-Americans in the United States. Sanji knew from Zoro that as Japan began to expand it's empire and joined up with the the enemy racism became an even larger issue. Not that things were not horrible before but yeaterday they had been walking down the street when a man spat at Zoro calling him a Jap bastard. He had a feeling that things were only going to get worse from there.
XxxX
December 11, Hitler declared war on the United States. They were officially part of the war in Europe. This meant that people would be drawn from the draft although many young men had already signed up, eager to avenge Pearl Harbor because you do not fuck with America. Unfortunately the country was not exactly ready for war. They had only a tiny reserve of trained soldiers to send out so they had to take in a massive amount of men.
Only Franky and Luffy were really eligible for draft. Robin and Nami were women, Usopp was African-American, Sanji had only lived in the country for three years as a French immigrant, Chopper was too young, Brook was too old, and the government was barring Japanese-Americans so Zoro was also not eligible.
So, three weeks after the attack Franky was drafted. Sanji hear the news from Usopp who worked with Franky at a mechanic shop. Franky managed to get him the job despite racial push back against him working there. It was a real shame, thought Sanji, people are people and Usopp is a great one. Therefore not only did he have to worry about his friend's safety but his own job security as well.
The day before the blue haired man left the crew threw him a huge party and sent him off with many tears shed. Despite this the blue haired man kept his spirits up in his willingness to fight for what he believed in, saying he would be a super soldier and kick some axis ass.
XxxX
In the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack people had panicked. They could not comprehend that Japan had dealt them such a hard hit. This was half because they thought they were safe across the ocean and half due to racial prejudice. People in the cities grew paranoid and xenophobic. In some places there was mass hysteria. Zoro could feel people stare at him with suspicious eyes or the mutter racial slurs as he walked by. All very frustrating but there was nothing that could be done. He just had to grit his teeth and deal with it.
The young Japanese man was disheartened at the news that the United States was at war with his home country. Not overly so, he had come over with his caretaker at age fourteen and had no living family there but it caused a small pang of sadness all the same. It was indeed a shame that the people he was supporting were going to have to dump firepower down upon his home land. Not ideal.
Jobs became more available as people were drafted. This was good for Zoro because he lost his job not long after the attack. His employer said he was not satisfied with his work but he was obviously be fired on racial grounds. Many Asian-Americans were losing jobs, being barred from stores, and beingotherwise discriminated against. This made finding a new job difficult but with all of the new openings it could have been worse. He ended up working in a factory that made airplane parts, it paid slightly less than his old job but now he was making money again.
After all this war business started he began showing up at Sanji's apartment more and more regularly. This was mostly because he wanted to blow off his pent up aggression over being in such an awful situation. Sanji just happened to be the perfect outlet. Their familiar sparring matches helped lessen the anger if only by a little.
After a particularly vigorous match the two men lay panting on the ground.
"It's fucking bullshit!" Zoro whined in frustration, "People keep looking at me like I'm the one who blew up that stupid base. It's not my fucking fault I was born in Japan."
"They're just a bunch of scared morons. They don't care if you were born in japan or not. You look different so obviously you must be the enemy," Sanji rolled his eyes dramatically, "Don't worry I would still hate you no matter what you looked like, you stupid plant," he gave a half hearted kick to the shin.
Zoro sat up, "Well now I feel so much better," he huffed sarcastically.
"Glad I could help. In return you should pick up that plate you broke and be grateful I'm not going to kick your ass for that," the plate had been flung from Sanji's grip when Zoro had marched in and punched him in the gut, quite unexpectedly.
The Marimo groaned but did has he was told, grabbing the cook's broom and dust pan.
"Why were you so upset when you came in anyway?" Sanji asked, walking into the kitchen to start dinner.
Zoro paused, "On my way over this kid dropped a toy in front of me. When I picked it up to return it the mom snatched it from me and pulled her kid away like I was gonna hurt him or something. She told be not to touch her child and get the hell away from them." He remembered her panicked look as she shoved the boy behind her. Zoro loathed the tendency of humans to generalize. It was a pain in his ass.
Sanji rubbed a hand over his face, people were growing increasingly afraid of Asian immigrants. Other people had ended up beaten in the streets or dead, not that the police did much to help that. It made his blood boil when he thought about it.
People could be so cruel.
XxxX
February 19, 1942
The president signed into effect executive order 9066. Japanese citizens, nisei, those who were born in the United States, Kibei, who were born in America but were schooled in japan, and issei, who had immigrated there to the west cost, were to be removed from their homes and sent to relocation camps. The president assure his people that this was for the good of America. To prevent sabotage, spying, and things of the like. Obviously this was a great idea because so many people were behind in.
Sanji was home cooking dinner when he heard this announcement over the radio. He froze starring wide eyed at the sound emitting device, this was outrageous. He was shocked at the clear infringement of rights on behave of these people. He was also definitely not worried about what would happen to Zoro. Yeah, not at all. Nevertheless he decided to call him to hear what his thoughts were on this issue, or more likely to tell him about it because he never listened to the radio.
The blond cook grabbed his phone and quickly wrung up the Marimo.
"Hello," came the gruff tones of Zoro's voice.
"Hey Marimo, have you heard about the newest order from the White House?"
"Eh? No, why are you bothering me about this?"
"Because it applies to you, dumbass. You should be paying more attention to the news. They say they're going to round up all the Japanese citizens and take them away." Sanji said flatly.
"What? They can't do that. Isn't that like a violation of rights, or something?"
"Apparently it's for the greater good so it's okay."
"Fucking bullshit, they won't seriously go through with it. Maybe they'll get a few people but they can't just round everyone up, it would be totally impossible!"
"Even so, you should probably watch out."
"Worried about me, love cook?"
"You wish, moss brain. Just thought you should know. I would expect calls from the others too because some of them are worldly people who enjoy knowing what goes on around them, unlike you."
"Mm."
"Anyway, fuck you I'm hanging up."
"Whatever."
Sanji dropped the phone back into place and frowned. This was not going to end well. Something like this and they had only been at war about two months.
XxxX
April 18, the Doolittle raid on Nagoya, Tokyo, and Yokohama was a success. Or at least it was made out to be a success. The way Sanji saw it the raids did not do much physically but it was a blow to Japan's pride that the Americans could pull off an attack like this. Much like the way the Americans could not believe that Japan could pull off Pearl Harbor, except in the Pearl Harbor attack a sufficient amount of damagewas done. Sanji hoped that successes would build up so that people would not be so afraid anymore and this terrible order would be overruled. But from here the battle on the pacific was not going so well and he had a very bad feeling in his gut.
XxxX
Historical notes and stuff:
So, I hope you guys enjoy this thing. I'm trying to make it as historically accurate as possible I got most of my information from documentaries, the internet, and interviews with George Takei. I love George Takei. I might be a bit obsessed with being 100 percent sure of things.
So, in 1941 Hawaii was not yet a state and I doubt anyone really knew where Pearl Harbor was. The reason everyone freaked out was they were astounded the Japanese could succeed in such an attack. The government pounced on the chance to enter the war because it destroyed the isolationist feelings. The British were even more excited about this thing. The attack happened around 7:40 am and was less than three hours long. California is three hours ahead of Hawaii so about 10:40. The first radio broadcast was at like 2:30 eastern standard time on CBS but at this point time zones started to confuse me so I was like balls to it and started using whatever time I wanted. That is part of the original transcript though. In the end 2,400 Americans died, 21 ships were sunk, and 188 aircraft a were destroyed in the Pearl Harbor attack.
I couldn't add the -san, -chan, -kun honorifics because I wanted Zoro to be the only Japanese one, but it feels weird. I also tried to keep all of the characters away from the draft in some way or another. Thus why Sanji is a relatively new immigrant. I don't exactly know how the draft works in his situation but I would like to believe he he wouldn't have to take part in all of that. And another thing, I feel really really weird about calling Luffy a man. He just seems like too much of a kid but he's eligible to lay down his life for his country.
Homophobia, you could be sentence to 1-10 years in jail for sodomy, 15 for 'oral perversion'. That sucks, um no pun intended. Hopefully I balanced Sanji's docile behavior with the amount to time he has had to flip out about it. Three years seems enough to get through the stages of serious anger and denial.
Elinore Roosevelt addressed the public at 5:30 est. She spoke with all the authority a president would have. She was a total boss : )
President FDR as you may know survived polio and could not walk but decided to walk down the isle when delivering his speech. He had to uses braces, a cane, and his sons arm to propel himself forward to give off the illusion of walking. And that is his full speech.
Thanks.