A Fox in the Kitchen

by BlueTailKitsune

A bet made, a stop on an island to restock, a friendly drinking challenge, all this leads to a change for Sanji. His body is changing, slowly losing what was his and turning him in to something new. He'll need his nakama and a certain swordsman to regain what is his. But not without some fun along the way. It's not everyday you have a fox in the kitchen.

1. A Friendly Bet

"Yosh! We go!"

The Captain's cry broke through with the crash of waves and the enormous clap of the bubble popping as the Thousand Sunny resurfaced. Their stage on Fishman Island was fun, but it was time to continue the journey to the New World. Added with the promise of Luffy to make Fishman Island his joined with the pressure of a confrontation with Big Mom at any given time the ever wild Strawhat Crew longed to continue their adventure as soon as the Sunny was coated.

Luffy sighed and collapsed back on to the grassy deck of the Sunny, grateful to feel the tickle of the grass rather than the bounce of the coating; though it was fun. Usopp and Chopper scurried around him laughing and boasting over whom would catch the biggest fish. Franky was checking on the Sunny and if she had made it through without injury during the resurface. Robin sat in her usual beach chair intently reading and making side notes on the poneglyph she had found in the Sea Forest. Nami was in the library trying to pinpoint their location with her charts and new triple log pose along with making notes on their stock. Zoro slept peacefully against one of the trees on deck taking advantage of its shade. Sanji was making lunch to feed the bottomless pit of a captain and his crew. All the while the light tune of Bink's Sake floated across the ship courtesy of Brook's violin. Luffy grinned his cheek to cheek monkey smile. This is how things should be.

"Nami-san! Robin-chan! Lunch is ready! Oh, and for the rest of you guys too, food's on."

How Sanji's tone easily switched from adoration to disgust when calling to the crew was always an amusement for the Captain.

"Meat!"

Luffy was the first to rush to the Galley, drool dripping in his wake with anticipation for another amazing meal from his cook. The rest of the crew steadily filed in, except for a certain first mate who chose to remain asleep. He didn't need to open his remaining eye to stop the oncoming sole aimed for his head with the hilt of Shusui.

"Oi, Marimo, I said lunch was ready." Sanji growled at the sword that had prevented him from delivering the well-deserved kick.

"I heard. Not hungry." Zoro replied, his tone both calm and sleepy. There was not a hint of struggle on Zoro's part when Sanji's easily riled temper pumped more pressure to the block.

"Not hungry? After all the crap we went through everyone's hungry! Get your ass in the Galley!"

Usopp's scream followed by Luffy's chitter laugh sounded from the Galley above. Their rubber captain was already swiping food.

"Just bring me sake." Zoro yawned. In that tiny instant of vulnerability heel met moss sending the Swordsman across the deck. "Tch."

"I do not serve anyone!" Sanji snapped. He was chewing fiercely at the end of his cigarette. He had just lit it and since talking to Zoro it was half gone.

Zoro's glare was on him now. "Could have fooled me, love-cook, with the way you bow for the sea witch."

He was on his feet then to avoid another, stronger, kick aimed for his stomach. Unsheathing both Kitetsu and Shusui the fight started. Steel met hard leather in an onslaught of slashes and kicks. Zoro aimed for the Cook's exposed side but with a couple Skywalk steps he was up and over the Swordsman. He aimed his own side attack with Zoro's back pointed to him but Zoro quickly blocked the attack with one sword and took a one eighty swing at the Cook with the other sword. If Sanji hadn't bent back in time he was sure Zoro's swing would have claimed more than a few loose strands of hair; Chopper had enough to worry about already. With a flip he put distance between them. By then his smoke was only a butt. He spat it over the edge of the Sunny and rushed forward. Just when he was ready to heat things up and Zoro ready to blast the ero-cook away two hits met but neither came from the duelists.

"Not this again! We do not have time for your stupid arguments! We need to have a crew meeting, now!" Nami snapped, both fists still raised and glaring furiously at the two fools struck face down on the deck. Once again, they were no match for Nami's rage.

"Hai~ Nami-san!" Sanji was the first to recover and stood quickly, his visible eye practically turning in to a heart.

"Damn witch." Zoro muttered rubbing his abused head.

"Take that back, shitty Marimo!"

"Cram it, curlicue!"

"What was that!?"

Thwack!

Another hit to the heads.

"Honestly the both of you. Come on, this is serious." Nami brushed back her bright orange hair behind her shoulder and started back for the Galley, her ample chest bouncing with each step thanks to her too small bikini top that left nothing for the imagination.

"Nami-san!" Sanji followed eagerly with a wiggle and a grumbling Zoro behind. He could never get a peaceful sleep.

~~O~~

"Everyone please! Luffy stop swiping food! Brook I already said no! Ugh! This is serious! Oh, thank you, Sanji-kun." Nami smiled at the orange ice tea set in front of her, complete with a sweet looking slice of orange placed on the rim for added touch of fancy.

"Of course, Nami-san! Crap heads, cram it and listen!"

Finally the rambunctious Straw Hat crew settled and gave their attention to their Navigator. It might have had something to do from the threatening glare the short tempered Cook was giving them but no one would dare go against it.

"Thank you. Now, I was looking over the provisions and according to Franky, Chopper, and Sanji-kun's info we lost a few things thanks to the wonderful way we entered Fishman Island." Nami stated bitterly.

"It was a SUPER fun trip though." Franky jerked in.

"Yeah, until someone almost died of blood loss." Zoro muttered under his breath. He flinched at the plate that was dropped in front in front of him. Specks of rice and fish decorated the table upon the impact. He growled at the Cook that sat next to him calmly, ready to light another smoke.

"Better eat all of that." Sanji's tone was light, but Zoro could pick out the threat woven within. He huffed and shoveled the food in his mouth, slapping at the rubber hand that tried to steal his table bits. His attention returned to Nami.

"As fun as it was we should stop at the closest town to stock up on things we need before we officially start our way in to the New World. If it wasn't for that party and everything at Fishman Island we could have restocked there but." Nami shrugged. She tapped the bottom left needle of her New World log pose. "This island should have what we need. It's about two days according to my maps. We'll get what we need and be off."

"Yosh! The faster we get there the faster I become Pirate King! Shishishsishi~!" Luffy laughed. He was the most hyped up to start their voyage. "Ne, Nami, which island is the most dangerous?"

"Don't tell him! He'll want to go there instead!" Usopp pleaded. He couldn't take another near death experience so soon.

"I'm captain! I get to choose where we go!"

"It's Fishman Island all over again!"

"All this adventure brings tears to my eyes. Ah, but I don't have eyes. Yohohohohoho~!"

Nami groaned at the re-fired up crew; Robin next to her giggled with amusement, as usual. The craziness steadily dispersed from the Galley leaving Sanji to clean the dishes from their first meal together on the Sunny in ages.

He was elbow deep in sudsy water, a smile on his face and an unlit cigarette placed delicately in the curve of his lip. He loved cooking for his crew, seeing their smiles as they ate—inhaled on Luffy's part—and the pleased sighs when they were full. He'd gladly do all the dishes they had a hundred times over in order to see that happiness never end.

His moment of lingering bliss ended at the all too familiar stomping of heavy boots and the slam of the Galley door.

"Franky will go ballistic if you break that." Sanji didn't have to look at the intruder to know who he was. He growled though when he came further in his kitchen. "Lunch is over, out of my kitchen till dinner." The Swordsman ignored him choosing instead to aim his attention to the cupboards above the sink. "Marimo is your head that thick!? Didn't you hear me!?"

Zoro continued to ignore. His hand was on the cupboard door handle. A mistake then since the even angrier Sanji was able to pin the calloused hand down with his foot. "Tch." He finally turned his attention to the other. "Move it."

"Out of my kitchen!" Sanji repeated. "I will not have you pilfering anymore booze! We're low enough as it is!" His arms were still in the soapy water, balancing himself on one foot and stretching the other up the height it needed to pin Zoro's hand on the cabinet over him. Zoro could still never understand the way Sanji's body could bend.

"One bottle—"

"Not even one!" Sanji snapped. "Wait the two damn days till the next island to drink yourself sick!"

"Lightweight." Zoro gripped the assaulting foot and shoved it off his now red hand.

"Eh!? I am not!" A loud splash and Sanji was now face to face with the one eyed swordsman. "I can hold myself better than you!"

Zoro smirked. "I've only ever seen you drink one pint. Or maybe some wine." The way the cook seemed to light fire in his visible eye had him smirking more. "Bet if you ever had a second you'd pass out drunk." He dodged the well-aimed kick to his smug smirk.

"Like hell, shitty Swordsman! I can out drink you any day!"

"Oh? Prove it."

Sanji growled. Zoro knew he was taking a jab at the Cook's pride; what made him a man. And with his pride at risk the Ccook's rational thoughts gave way; he played right in to the Swordsman's hands.

"Damn right I will! Next town we'll find a bar and I'll prove it!" Sanji lit his cigarette and took a long drag to relax his nerves before returning to the dishes. "Now out of my fucking kitchen!"

"Yeah yeah." But before Zoro left he swiped the bottle of sake he had been hunting for and hurried out before the threat of having his ribs crushed came true.

~~O~~

"Everyone! I see an island!" Usopp called from the Crow's Nest.

"Really? Yes!" Luffy ran to his seat upon the Sunny Go's lion head with a big smile controlling the eager in his bounce.

The remaining crew members lined up along the railing to take in the oncoming island. The island was rather large, the majority of it overwhelmed by heavy forest and rock formations along the edges. The tallest of the trees reached nearly to the clouds. Birds were lost flying from the ocean in to the lush tapestry of green. The ocean tides curving around the cream coloured sand was an invitation for relaxation. If it wasn't for the subtle line of smoke hovering over the smaller trees from the other side of the island they wouldn't have believed the wild looking island to be inhabited.

"Nami, are you sure this was the calm island?" Usopp asked nervously.

Nami nodded. "Mm. The Log Pose is pointing right to it."

"I wonder if there's any new herbs on there…" Chopper wondered out loud.

"Let's go! Hurry hurry!" Luffy bounced more. He wanted to explore. "Sanji! Make me a box lunch!"

"Fine."

"We haven't even landed yet!" Nami scolded.

"I can feel goosebumps crawling over my skin. Oh, but I don't have any skin. Yohohohohoho~!"

"There might be deadly carnivorous creatures in that forest longing for flesh."

"Robin stop talking like that!" Usopp whined.

"Mina!" Nami raised her hand to call attention before the crew lost more of their senses. "Before we go remember why we came here."

"Adventure!"

"No… Luffy… we're going to restock and avoid trouble. Spending a night might not be bad either before we're stuck on the ship for who knows how long or suffer what the next island will be like. I have your allowances here. Please, try and stick together with someone to keep each other out of trouble." She glanced to Luffy. "Or getting lost." She looked to Zoro.

"I don't get lost, Witch! Hck!" He felt the bump on his head start to grow. He glared at the equally pissed Cook next to him.

"Sanji-kun, take Zoro with you."

"But Nami-san…"

"You need help carrying food, right?"

"Hm… I suppose he could be useful as a mule…"

"Crap-cook."

"Crappy swordsman!"

"We're docked!" Franky called from the Sunny's wheel.

"Sanji! My lunch!"

"Here, it's packed." Sanji knew his captain would be the first to jump from the ship when they docked, and would be asking him for his pirate lunch before going. He had a box lunch made, heavily centered around meat, wrapped and ready for the rubber boy.

"Yum!" Luffy clutched the knot of his wrapped lunch in his teeth and launched off the Sunny with a Gum-Gum Rocket aimed right to the forest.

"Luffy wait! Aggh, someone go with him!"

"Allow me, Nami-san. Yohohohohoho~!" Brook leapt off and after Luffy. "Luffy-san!"

"Franky, I'll go see about getting things for the Sunny."

"Thanks, Usopp-bro! I'll stay here and watch her then!"

"Chopper want to come with me?"

"Okay, Usopp, I need to restock too."

Nami sighed. "Well they paired off."

Robin chuckled next to her. "Want to go together, Navigator-san?" Nami nodded her answer.

That left the last two, forcibly paired and angry, Straw Hats.

"So, you want some oats?"

"Don't even start, eyebrows."

~~O~~

Zoro grumbled and trudged the heavy loaded cart behind him. With every hour he followed the Cook and endured his overly picky and pestering tests before purchase that even got on the shopkeeper's nerves, the more infuriated he got. Food is food. The shit cook could make anything taste amazing, not that Zoro would ever admit that to him. But at this point of watching the same pattern over and over with each of the open air stalls they stopped by in the market he was tempted to say so in order to get Sanji to shop faster.

"Cook, just pick some damn vegetables already."

Of course, he went ignored by the overly focused Cook. His grey-blue eyes narrowed at the vegetables offending his standards. He chewed on the filter of his unlit cigarette while pondering which of two bell peppers was best before taking both, and then flat out stared with lowered eyelids and a hand on his goatee styled chin doing nothing but judging. Another fifteen minutes of watching the shopkeeper keep his composure instead of choking out Sanji like Zoro knew he wanted to do, and he was back to pulling the heavier cart after the exasperating Sanji.

"I think that's everything." Sanji said to himself. He checked over his list yet again. "Fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, valuable liquids…"

"Booze?" At the mention of valuable liquids the longing for a swig of a good grade sake had Zoro licking his lips.

"Flour, plenty of meat, damn Luffy."

Zoro frowned. "Booze." He tried again.

"Yeah that's everything."

"Booze!"

Zoro grabbed the heel that threatened to once again, for the who knows how many times that week, bash his head in. His single steel eye narrowed meeting with Sanji's glaring visible one.

"If you say booze one more time I'll marinate and roast you in a nice wine baste!"

"I prefer sake." Zoro muttered.

"Keep pushing it, moss head!"

Zoro looked from him then to the foot he still held tightly and smirked. He pushed the leg up forcing Sanji's body to bend with it. "Push you say?"

"O-oi!" Sanji complained at his body being forced to bend against his will. Zoro pushed till Sanji's leg was vertically straight with the other.

"You know, normal guys can't bend like this. You sure you have a pair?" Zoro asked smugly.

"I'll let you starve!" Sanji threatened. He wanted to kick Zoro as hard as he could but with one leg bent up to its limit it was taking all his control to stay balanced on the other.

"Like you could, love-cook."

"Cram it, crappy Marimo!"

"You want me to knock you flat on your back!"

"Just try it!"

"Uh… what are you two doing?"

It could never be a normal walk in the market, not when the two hotheads were on the loose. Sometimes Usopp questioned if those two understood that the positions they end up in when arguing were so, intimate. Currently with Sanji's leg bent up high by the angry Swordsman's grip on his ankle, their foreheads pressed tightly together that their noses touched, the image could be read wrong by anyone who didn't know the two.

"Usopp, Chopper." Sanji said in a calm tone, glancing to his fellow nakama. "Heading back to the ship?"

"Uhhh… yeah. It's almost the time we're supposed to get back." Usopp answered.

"We'll join you. Marimo." Sanji thumped his head against Zoro's. "Get the cart, follow us, and try not to get lost."

Zoro growled and gave the ankle he held a hard enough squeeze to bruise before letting the leg drop. "I don't get lost. Everything mo-ack!" The many blocked kicks of the week finally met their head target. "Damn, ero-kappa!" He could already feel the swell stinging his scalp.

Sanji flicked on his lighter, lighting his cigarette and taking a long needed drag of toxins to calm his nerves. He directed the stream of smoke towards Zoro in a soft breath. Zoro coughed and fanned the smoke away before he himself got poisoned from the Cook's second hand smoke. "Try not to get lost." Sanji repeated again in a cold tone that dared Zoro to say anything against him again. He pocketed his lighter and tucked his cigarette between his lips as he started to walk away. Usopp looked to the fallen Swordsman on his rear angrily grumbling as he stood before following after the calm Cook.

"Shitty cook… dart-brow… swirly face…" Zoro growled out more obscenities at Sanji's expense while grabbing the cart and dragging it behind him. Soft steps next to him caught his attention.

Chopper was looking up at him with worry filling his wide dark eyes. "We need to get some ice on your head when we get back."

A soft sigh escaped Zoro. The building rage he had and the thoughts of sticking his katanas through the Cook disappeared with the concern the little doctor had. "It's fine, Chopper, he always hits me like this. I know it'll ease up in a couple hours."

"Mmm…" Chopper still wanted to check him. The two fight so much he knows by now that they never aim to seriously hurt each other, but it couldn't stop his natural doctor instincts when they went too crazy. "Okay…"

Zoro pat his head. He didn't like it when others worried about him, especially the young doctor. Not just because it was bothersome, but because it was his job to worry and protect his nakama. He had to be strong for them. Chopper's small ears twitched. He looked up to Zoro with a smile that better complimented him than a frown. He giggled and walked on ahead with a skip in his step. Zoro sighed. He rubbed the swell on his head. Sanji must have directed all his pent up rage in that one kick.

By the time the four made it back to the Sunny the bright orange sun was setting in a swirl of oranges, yellows, blues and pinks colouring the evening sky. Thanks to Franky's riggings the loaded food cart was easily hauled up on deck and parked in front of the Galley door. For now, Sanji would store everything as they came in the pantry and fridge then organize as it should be once they left the island, in case he picked up a few more things before their departure.

"Everyone one deck!" Nami's voice called.

"Nami-san~!" Sanji hurried from the Galley to the main deck where Nami and Robin had returned to and were awaiting the rest of the crew. He was the first to answer the call of his mellorine with hearts in his eyes. Grudgingly the other males joined the group, some yawning from the long day and others—Zoro—not even looking their way.

"Do you need something Nami-san? Something to eat maybe? A drink?" Sanji offered with a sway of his hips. Zoro clicked his tongue and picked at his ear; the Cook was even more aggravating with the witches around. If Sanji didn't bend to the whim of any female Zoro might even like being around him. Why he hated this part of the Cook the most he couldn't figure out, nor cared to, he just knew it annoyed him to no ends.

"No thank you, Sanji-kun." Nami waved him off. "I have your room keys." She held up four gold coloured keys.

"Rooms?" Chopped questioned.

"Mhm. Robin and I found out a bit about this island. It's called Akasha and a lot of the locals hold a great deal of respect for the nature of this island. We're not sure why but the important thing is the log pose doesn't set for three days. So we might as well take advantage to spend some nights on shore."

"I'll make sure the Sunny is all secure before leaving her." Franky stated. He turned from the group to start his checks of the ship.

"Oh, Franky! I got us some great deals on supplies but I'll need your help carrying them." Usopp called out to the retreating cyborg's back.

"SUPER cool bro! We'll get it on the way in the morning when coming to check on the Sunny."

"Hello? You need to know your room arrangements and where the inn is before making plans." Nami huffed. "Robin and I will share one, of course." She handed a key to Robin. "Franky and Brook." She tossed the Cyborg his key who caught it with the little yellow hand that popped out of his massive pink one. "Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy." A key went to the Sniper. "And last Sanji-kun and Zoro."

"I have to share with him!?" Both Cook and Swordsman asked in simultaneous outrage.

"You two always do." Nami said in calm tone, handing Sanji the key. "It's no different from any other inn we stay in. For once don't complain okay?" She bat her eyes in what Sanji saw as cute and Zoro saw as sickening.

"Yes Nami-san!" Sanji beamed and swayed.

"Pathetic." Zoro muttered.

"Eh!?" Sanji snapped back and glared, butting heads with Zoro.

Whack!

"We'll wait for Franky to secure the Sunny then we'll show you guys to the inn." Nami walked from the two face down pirates; one swell for Sanji and a second for Zoro.

A half hour later and the group was standing outside their designated inn. As far as what Nami told them pirates were welcomed here mainly because no one paid attention to who was what. As long as they were nice and kept from damaging the forest they would service anyone. Their inn was one of the few larger buildings in the town, going up three stories but stretching out some plots of land. Olive vines clung to the cobblestone walls linked in with circling ivy. A sign above the door read "Mole Hill Inn" along with an image of a mole peeking out of its hole carved on the wood sign.

"Your room number is on the key, it goes by floor." Nami said through a yawn, "I'm tired. A nice shower before bed sounds lovely."

"Wait, Nami! Luffy and Brook aren't back yet!" Usopp looked around the quiet dark streets with worry.

"Ahh! They're not going to know where to go!" Chopper waved his arms, joining in with Usopp's worry.

"Don't worry, Longnose-kun, Doctor-san, I left them a note telling them where we are should they return to the Sunny later in the night." Robin said with a soft smile.

"You did? Ah, Robin that's-"

"That is, unless they've been eaten by a wild animal."

"Ahhh! Chopper let's find our room!" Usopp screeched. He picked up the young doctor and ran in the inn first. The crew followed in with soft chuckles at the antics of their easily frightened Sniper. Sanji, though, was stopped not far from the door.

"Marimo do you need me to hold your hand to the room?" Sanji glared in displeasure at the rough hand on his shoulder keeping him in place.

"This place has a bar." Zoro had his single eye locked on the bar across their way.

"So? Go drink and let me go."

"Did you forget our bet already, Cook?" Zoro gave him a wide smirk. "That means I win by forfeit. I hate winning like that but, oh well."

"What the hell are you—oh no you don't!" Sanji remembered. The bet he had made in a fit of rage. Screw it if he was going to let Zoro win. "I remember. We're drinking. Now. And I'll prove to you who has the better tolerance!" Sanji shoved the hand from his shoulder and stomped to the bar, a smug smirking Zoro following him.

A couple hours later and Zoro's smirk grew bigger. He was on his twelfth pint of grog and the most he felt was a pleasant buzz. Sanji, on the other hand, was on his eighth and was barely able to take a drink without a hiccup getting in the way. He was slouched over in his seat, cheek sticking to the bar counter, face a pink flushed mess, hair sticking up in some places where he had run his hand through multiple times throughout the night, eyes hazed with his drunken state and a slur in how he spoke and moved.

"So, I think I won." Zoro said after setting his pitcher down, holding back his complacent tone.

"Nuh-uh. I can still fink…" Sanji slurred. He forced himself to sit up making his head spin.

"You're drunk. Drinking more won't change that."

"What the—hic—do you know stupid lawn 'ead?"

"I know the deal was till someone gets drunk. You got drunk four drinks ago. Watching you still try and win was a bonus."

"Cut the crap stupid… shitty… yoush…" Sanji reached for his drink but grabbed at air. He blinked, taking a bit for his brain to process that his drink had been stolen by a green demon.

"Ne… give that back…" He slumped over Zoro, meekly reaching for his desired drink that Zoro easily kept away from the less coordinated Cook.

"Normally I wouldn't care how much you drink, but since I'm sharing a room with you I'll be dealing with your hangover. So, no."

"Zoro…" Sanji whined, still trying for his drink.

The Cook was more of a trouble to Zoro in his drunken state, more personal as well. Sure they had moments when the concept of personal bubble didn't exist between the two, but with Sanji slumped over him and sporadically flailing his arms in whatever direction Zoro moved the stolen drink Zoro's bubble was being invaded.

"No." With a hand to the face Zoro pushed Sanji back. It took all the strength left in those powerful legs to hold him to the stool he sat. Sanji was ready to spurt out more words of protest but his jaw dropped seeing the Swordsman down both pitchers of grog before him. He slammed the emptied pitchers down and grinned with satisfaction at the shocked and drunk Cook. "Fourteen." He hummed. The look of rage Sanji gave him was priceless. He would never understand why he loved to see the Cook so outraged.

Sanji growled and stood, well swayed really. "I'm goin' for some air…" He huffed.

"Go to the room, you'll get lost." Zoro motioned to the bartender to give him a well-deserved bottle of sake.

"I don't get lost! You're the one who gets lost shitty—hic—ugh… head…"

Zoro sighed at the weak insult. If Sanji wanted to wander around all night he wasn't going to stop him. He held up his hand. "If you insist on being dumb give me the room key."

"I am not dumb! And Nami-swan gave me the key cause you'd lose it!"

"Just give me the damn key." Zoro uncorked his well-earned sake bottle and drank it down straight. Sanji grumbled at Zoro's outstretched hand in front of his face but eventually dug through his pockets and slammed the key down in the open palm; Zoro continued to mannerlessly chug down his drink.

"There. You looses it I'll have Nami-swan make you pay for the rooms." Sanji snickered then hiccupped.

"Yeah yeah." Zoro tucked the key in his haramaki.

Sanji stuck his tongue out very maturely and left in probably the most dignified stumble Zoro had seen. If the cook managed to make it back to the room he'd be surprised. If not, he'd have something to say he told him so for a while. Zoro chuckled at the thought and flicked an escaped drop of sake from his chin.

~~O~~

"Smokes… smokes…" Sanji muttered to himself.

He pat his pockets till he found the fresh packet of cigarettes he had unwrapped earlier that day. Popping one from the box he tucked the filter between his smooth lips. In a flick of heat he lit the end and took a long needed drag. He held his breath to allow the sweet toxins to swirl in his lungs and the smoky taste to tantalize his tongue. He exhaled slowly in a long stream upwards. Head tilted back he closed his eyes to better enjoy the satisfying sting in his throat from the first inhale.

Damn that shitty Swordsman. He was not drunk. He could have drunken way more. He'd admit, yes, that he did feel a little tipsy but he was not drunk! Zoro didn't want to lose. The moss head would do anything to prevent that. No way was he, Blackleg Sanji, drunk only after four drinks! Satisfied with his conclusion that the Marimo had cheated in order to win Sanji replaced the cigarette at the corner of his mouth and stumbled along in his way.

When he had first gone through the town with Zoro while shopping he didn't get the chance to really look at where they'd be spending the next couple of days.

For the few larger buildings that were scattered around they were made of stone and had some variations of ivy and vines clinging to the outside walls and hung from the wood roofs, similar to the inn. The remaining buildings were hut like, made of wood that still had the bark to it and even more plant life clinging to them. The entire market in the center was open air, no proper store anywhere in sight. What Sanji did see carved everywhere be it stone, wood or stall were four triangles pointed downwards in a half circle formation.

Sanji stopped next to one of the market stalls. He ran a undamaged finger along the groves of the carving on the wood counter. Now that he thought about it, their inn had this same symbol carved in the stone next to the sign. Perhaps it was a town symbol of a sorts, an odd one at that. The weird carvings and the stone and wood buildings overwhelmed by plant life; Nami did say this town was in love with the nature of the island.

There was one other thing that was bothering Sanji.

As far as he knew, it wasn't that late in to the night. The streets were void of town life, the only sounds coming from the homes nearby. If they were still awake why were they shut away? He had been hoping for a lovely lady to fully turn around his mood, not a dull silence to further pick at his temper. Sanji let out a puff of smoke and walked, well more staggered, along the single town center road.

"Crappy weird town and its crappy buildings… crappy silence… crappy carving… crappy Swordsman… crappy forest…" Sanji's colourful tongue painted the slurred line. He stopped at the edge of town where the forest started and the stone path met dirt.

Sanji looked up at the dark and still forest, smoking and thinking the best he could through the fog in his head. The forest at night, even during the day, could be seen as ominous. And Sanji wasn't one to admit fear in any way or form; not with his pride. But he just felt something about this forest, this entire island, which unnerved him in a way he hadn't placed his attention on until now that he was alone, in the chilly quiet night, and drunk enough to let these thoughts pester him.

"Sanji."

Sanji whipped his head back; someone had called to him. A soft, gentle voice that melted away with the breeze. He thought that maybe one of his lovely ladies had come to bring him back to the inn, but they had retired long before the others. Plus, he was still alone on the dirt path.

"Sanji."

Her voice came again. From the forest now he was able to pinpoint. Why would a delicate flower be in such a place at night? A place probably haunted by monstrous beats that would harm a dear lady without a second thought or even worse… bugs that crept over her flawless skin? Why was she calling to him? Did she know him but him not her? Inexcusable.

"Sanji."

His feet moved before his brain could catch up. His mind was still a mess but he trusted his instincts to take control. If she was calling out to him for help he couldn't deny her, even if it meant trudging through a forest that creeped him out. He would never leave a lady in need.

"Sanji."

Her airy tone was closer the deeper he went. She called his name evenly like gentle breaths. That helped guide Sanji. He knew he was deep in the forest and felt himself going up, but he'd go as deep and as high as it took to help the dear needing him.

"Sanji!"

He skidded and took a sharp left turn when he heard his name cried out with such suddenness. Crashing through a bush he had to stop himself with a harsh screech from crashing face first in to a large boulder.

There was an all too familiar carving on the boulder; the same four triangles that filled the town. But this carving had more to it. Two extra triangle were added to it, one pointed to the right and the other to the left, the one being on the right slightly lower and a curved line over them connecting the two extra triangle. It was some sort of image. What it was Sanji couldn't tell even when he caught himself tracing a finger over the carve.

"Sanji."

There she was. The owner of the delicate and sweet voice that had been calling to him. Were Sanji a Neanderthal like a certain crew member he wouldn't have been able to hold back the gasp of shock that caught in the back of his throat or the wide eyed expression he hid under mellow eyes.

She was tall, slender, her smooth curves expressed perfectly in the elegant, billowing low cut emerald gown she wore. Her skin was white, almost looking to be tinted with blue. Long white hair to her hips cascaded down in smooth waves. The most shocking part of her appearance was her black lips curled in a cold smile and violet eyes with long batting eyelashes watching Sanji as a predator would trapped prey.

"Sanji, I'm glad you found me."

Her voice was cold, really cold. It made Sanji shiver. He felt the temperature around them drop. She moved closer, the silver bangles around her arms moving along with the cold now keeping Sanji still. She was dangerous. He sensed it. Knew it in the way she watched him. Her eyes told all of what she saw him as; a target. But he couldn't move. Not even flinch when her cold hands slid up along the sides of his face. His cigarette fell from his parted lips in the small shock at the cold touch. His eyes locked on hers not because he wanted to but because they called to him in an almost hypnotic like way. Her forehead brushed over his.

"I've been waiting for someone like you, Sanji. Someone with the devil like flames that burns in your soul. Someone with your strength. Someone with your passion. Someone… who's will I can bend."

When did he start shaking? Why was he shaking? Sanji was never afraid of a lovely lady. Though a normal lovely lady didn't have a pointed tongue that slithered over his cheek and smacked against her lips, tasting who he was. Or such sharp nails that scratched down his neck and dug in to his shoulders, anchoring him in place.

"You can't resist me, Sanji. I know you can't." She slid a hand down over his heart and reached back with the other to the boulder to press a black pointed nail to the center of the mark. It glowed a bright blue and seemed to emanate a low hum from the rock. "Take my son home, Sanji."

"Aaaaaaaaggghhhh!"

The flames of his Hell Memories burst from his control. His own flames never hurt him before, why did it pain him now? He clutched at his chest. It felt like a heavy weight was pressing down slowly on him, crushing him underneath its weight and leaving him gasping for breath. He reached blindly through the flames around him in desperation for something to support himself on. There was nothing for him to clutch at. He was alone, contorted in pain and held captive by his flames.

He fell to his knees.

His eyes were blurry. He couldn't see through the welled up tears. The burning pain stung more than any injury a marine could inflict. Than any kick from his geezer. Than any slash Zoro managed to get on him during a fight.

Zoro.

He blamed the pig headed Marimo for this. If he hadn't insisted on the drinking contest, enraged him to a point of drinking past his limit, been so damn annoying about "winning"; if that Marimo had just shut up and forgot the bet like he had he wouldn't be in this flaming mess. He could have taken a bath, washed away the stress of the day and fallen asleep instantly on a real bed. It was all Zoro's fault!

No.

It was his. He fell for Zoro's prodding. He forced himself to drink more than he could handle knowing full well he'd regret it. He gave Zoro the key effectively wiping away the chance of sleeping in that desired bed. He wandered outside instead of paying head to the suspicious empty street. He followed the woman's call. It was all his fault the world was turning dark now.

Sanji collapsed on his back. His body had gone numb and he could no longer tell what his flames were doing or how much pain he was taking. His eyelids lowered. He couldn't hold on anymore.

"I'll never hear the end of this from the Marimo." Was his last thought before blacking out.

---

AN: Hello~

So this is my first time writing a One Piece fic (been addicted to the series for so long and complete Zosan shipper ^.^). I'm a long time writer but decided to get out there to see what others think of how I write. For what I have planned for this fic, it's going to be long, especially in order to develop Zoro and Sanji's relationship and to better get across just what is happening to Sanji. I want honest opinions, how did I do with the crew? I've watched the anime and read the manga so I combined that characteristics of both to make this representation of them. It might seem a bit odd that I pay so much attention to all the Straw Hat crew but the point of One Piece is their friendship. I can't just focus on the main pair without their fellow nakama. Well with that drabble done for my first chapter I hope you guys stick with me along for this journey. I promise to make it fun and worth your time!

Kitsune out!

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.