Please enjoy!

Toriko belongs to Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro. Thanks for making such an amazing show!

Also, just skip to the next chapter if your looking for the naughty Toriko~

Enjoy!


Intro:

Someone once said…

There are strawberries that shine as bright as stars in the dead of the night,

lighting up the darkest of paths,

…Starberries!

That there are succulent slices of ham that bloom into perfectly roasted slices,

taking the form of petals of the most delicate of roses,

…Rosethams!

The world is in the Gourmet Age.

The age of seeking out yet-unknown tastes.


Prologue:

It had been nearly a whole year since the little Chef embarked on his adventure with Bishokuya Heavenly King Toriko. From the moment the Heavenly King had asked the little Chef to form a kombi with him, the two men had spent countless hours fighting, training, and of course cooking, in hopes of finding dishes worthy of being put into the Heavenly King's full course. But of course with Komatsu also being the head Chef at IGO's Hotel Gourmet Restaurant, the little Chef had spent majority of his time going back and forth between the request filled adventures and taking care of his job in his very own kitchen. With a year's worth of adventures leaving Komatsu with no time for rest or self-indulgence, it would only be natural for the little Chef to feel the need to wind down and relax for a while.

The little Chef had spent the last few days picking up the slack in Hotel Gourmet's kitchen. Due to his constant absence with Toriko lately, Komatsu had rarely spent time cooking in his own actual kitchen. Yet, of course he did not mind at all, his adventures with the Heavenly King had taught and shown him more than he could have ever dreamed of, especially since meeting and becoming friends with many well-known Chefs like 'Gourmet Living National Treasure Setsuno-San and 'Delicate Cooking Chiru. There were many other individuals Komatsu had been fortunate enough to meet with, and like many others Komatsu looked up to those individuals in the cooking world with great admiration. The Chef was thankful and happy more than anything else in the world.

Before the he had returned back to work in his kitchen, the two had been out searching for a special herb only found in the Wu Jungle located deep within the Wu Continent. The special herb was a plant that took form of a sunflower; packed with white and red pill shaped seeds, it is said that the seeds and even the leafs of the plant can provide enough nutrients and energy to turn the most gloomy or worn down individuals,-up, out and looking for fun, giving the plant the name: Funflowers.

The Wu Jungle, along with all its vicious plants, had given Toriko a hard time in his past search for ingredients. BB Corn for Terry was the reason the Bishokuya had explored the jungle. For Komatsu, the Funflower search had been a new experience since Toriko had actually gone with Terry for the past BB Corn search. But given that Toriko was much stronger and Komatsu had become much more determined in aiding to his partner, they managed to find the special herb bringing it back without any crucial wounds or worries. The request was made by Hotel Gourmet's Manger, Mr. Smith, who for once did not mind Komatsu's absence from the Hotel. But of course, Mr. Smith still kept his hateful attitude towards Toriko well known even when they returned with abundant amounts of Funflowers.

After aiding to the needs of the Hotel and with no immediate request needing to be completed, the kombi continued their journey in finding potential dishes that could be worthy of Toriko's full course. But luckily for Komatsu, the two had finally decided to take a few weeks off when they had accidently stumbled into the borders of the Country of Healing.

The two men both decided to settle down into one of its tranquil town called 'Life'. Well known for its natural healing remedies and products, Toriko was well aware of the powers of many of the remedies found within the Healing Country; hence that this was the same place that repaired his lost arm earlier in the year.

Things were well now that Komatsu no longer had to worry over about the Gourmet Hotel or being chased by wild ingredients. Mr. Smith, the Hotel Gourmet's Manger, had called Komatsu and requested the chef to take time off from both restaurant work and hunting, giving the boy three weeks off. Komatsu questioned the sudden off time, but ended up being much too excited for his mini vacation. Not having the chance to visit the town Life with Toriko in his last stay, it had the little Chef curious of the ingredients and products that were found within the Healing Country. When the Heavenly King's arm had been lost in an earlier battle with the Bishokukai, Toriko had visited the Healing Country and made a full recovered before reappearing in front of Komatsu with both arms present; the little Chef could only imagine what wonders the Country had to offer.

The world is in the Gourmet Age.

Now happily resting within the Country of Healing, we find Toriko and Komatsu both seated in a Shark Onsen grinning ear to ear, delighted while swarms of doctor fish nibble away at their skin. Feeding away on any filth that may had been contracted on to them prior to their accidental discovery there in Life, schools of doctor fishes made their way around the two, eventually departing fish by fish on to others entering the Onsen.

The age of seeking out yet-unknown tastes.


"Oi Komatsu! This is amazing isn't it? Nothing beats a good cleaning like one from a Shark Onsen!"

"Hai, Toriko-san!"

It had been nearly a few hours since the two had arrived there in Life. The atmosphere was more than welcoming and Komatsu truly felt like a little kid in an amusement park with the amount of medical lodges and ingredient shops he'd seen earlier scattered all around the town.

Happily humming to himself, the boy had been nearly free of all worry till he noticed a young and enthusiastic fellow enter the Onsen. The young man had the look of a person having the time of his life, grinning ear to ear as he slowly lowered himself into the welcoming warmth of the Onsen, but it wasn't the man's happy glow that caught the Chefs attention- the man had a missing arm. In a previous battle Toriko had lost his to Tommyrod in Ice Hell, but Komatsu highly doubted that the man had fought the Bishokukai or even gone to Ice Hell. Komatsu grimaced and shot a glance to Toriko as he-

"TORIKO-SAN?!"

"Oi Komatsu, you're going to overheat if you stay in there too long." The Heavenly King was already half dressed wearing his ever so favorite orange pants. He stood outside the Onsen, looking ready to take on the world as always. "If you want to stay in there you can, just know that I smell something delicious being cooked up nearby!" Sliding on his navy blue shirt, the man turned away and swung the remaining orange vest over his shoulders before ruffling his hair damp hair.

Letting out a big laugh, Toriko shook his head lazily as he noticed the little Chef had already begun to tint a notable peachy pink in the face.

"Ahhh, hai! Toriko-san wait for me!" The little Chef made his way over to the edge of the Onsen in disbelief his partner had left without telling him. "Um, ma'am, may I have my clothes?" The Chef was given a towel and handed back his clothes.

As Komatsu dried off, Toriko had waited as patiently as he could as the smell grew stronger. The smell of crispy seasoned smoked ham had infatuated the air, leaving the gluttonous King to drool and stare off into the direction where a light cloud of smoke could be seen arising from.

"Smells like someone in the country is cooking up some pretty tasty meat, I can practically taste the juices in the air!" As the Bishokuya drooled away, Komatsu now clothed, thanked the Onsen provider as he returned the towel.

Taking a few steps towards Toriko, Komatsu curiously glanced over to the armless fellow in the tub wondering what the man had done to lose his arm. In pure curiosity, he felt almost attempted to ask the man till Toriko patted him on the back fully aware of his partner's curious stare at the fellow.

"Ah. Toriko-san, do you think you could recommend him to-"

"No."

The Bishokuya lowered his head wiping away at the drool as he glanced over at the one armed man, "This is the Country of Healing, it's well-known and common that many people like him come here to patch themselves up, he'll find his own method to get back his arm."

Toriko highly doubted that the Chef was satisfied by his response, but the Bishokuya knew better than to send an ordinary man to be tended by Saiseiya Yosaku. The Saiseiya Master had a knack for being rougher than most would consider normal when it came to medical practices. Toriko began walking, reminiscing only for a few moments about the procedure that had almost cost him his life in an effort to heal his arm.

As they began walk, the little chef could only think about the armless fellow as they moved farther and farther away from the Onsen. Despite what Toriko said, he continued to watch the armless fellow as he began imagining how it must have felt to have such a prized part of the body be lost. Komatsu could only pout as he suddenly imagined his own arm being taken from him. 'Cooking would be impossible… Well maybe not impossible… but cooking with my left hand would be difficult. 'The boy pouted even deeper. ' The armless Chef, mhm… that's would be a tough one', but like how all thoughts come and go, Komatsu suddenly found himself wondering if there were any Chefs in the Rank 100 that had any kind of similar handicaps. The boy being so wrapped up in his thoughts, he was unware that they had already reached their destination.

Toriko had lead them to a smoked meat restaurant that specialized in cooking their meats in a smokeagroo— a rare species of kangaroo that can cook any type of meat within its grill-like pouch smoking it perfectly to perfection without ever over drying its meat.

The Heavenly King had waited long enough with his exaggerated appetite being teased back by the Onsen. He settled Komatsu down into a chair and waited for the boy to pick up the menu and take interest in it.

Komatsu's mind had shifted to even more irrelevant thoughts as he had become fully submerged in a mental conversation with himself. 'I don't think Setsuno-San would be very pleased if I had to cook with my feet, ah, I don't think any of my customers would be pleased if they knew I had to cook with my feet. Though I do remember watching this document on Gourmet TV about the man who could cook with his feet… Didn't he win a few awards for his skill or something? Ah, what was his name? Hitsu… No no, Hito? Wait wait… Hiru-'

"HIRU GOSAN! The Master Chef of lunch time bentos! I knew I... remembered… his… name…"

Komatsu fumed red as he realized his random outburst had most likely startled the other tables and their Waiter who stared down at him in disbelief.

"I-I-I'm sorry!" The Chef quickly grabbed his menu and read the very first thing he saw, "I'll have the Golden Salmon Roe!" The waiter raised an eyebrow probably questioning the boy's mental status. Given that the he- the waiter, had only asked what drinks they both would like, Toriko sighed and told the waiter to give them both waters and a few more minutes to decide for their entries.

'Wah… how embarrassing. Toriko-San should of told me we were ordering drinks.'With his face now buried into his hands, the little Chef attempted to hide away from his out bursting embarrassment.

While taking note of the boy's distress, Toriko had caught a familiar scent in the air. It had been the same well of smoky goodness he smelled earlier, the smell of undeniably fresh smoked meat. "Komatsu, do you smell that?" The blue haired man inhaled loudly causing the Chef too peek up and also take a curious whiff. "What'cha think? Smoked Lamb ham? Or maybe smoked Oyster Steak? Man it smells good!"

Komatsu laughed, "Toriko-san! You're drooling again!" Taking in another curious whiff, the boy perked up as the familiar scent of smoked meat engulfed his nostrils. "Its smoked Turkey Gizzards! We used to sever a dish like this at the Gourmet Hotel! Though… it was only on the menu for a month. I kind of miss it"

"Oh? Then why don't we order it?"

"I think I'll actually try the Golden Salmon Roe… I'm kind of curious about it. If I remember correctly, it was in… uh, Sombe- no, Zombie-san's full course!"

"IT'S ZONGEH-SAMA!"

"EHHHHH?!" Komatsu glanced around while uncomfortably shifting himself in his chair. "Toriko-san I think I stayed in the Onsen too long… I'm starting to hear things."

Toriko chuckled as he looked over Komatsu's shoulder and saw the brute and his two followers seated the table behind Komatsu. "Nah. Anyways… lets order! I'm starving!"

The two ordered there meals and had a peaceful lunch.

…Despite Zongeh-san coming over to their table boasting how strong and wonderful he was, Toriko and Komatsu made evening plans to visit another Onsen after the little chef's convinced his partner he wasn't going to get sick or overheat. Komatsu wasn't as strong as the Bishokuya, but he sure as hell wasn't going to be seen as weak kid in his partner's eyes. But of course… this convincing and settlement was only to go in the Onsen. All weakness and fear related to adventures and hunts for ingredients did not apply.


"Waaaaaa! It so beautiful!"

Komatsu stood in awe as he stared out at the Crystal Ice Onsen. The Onsen had been designed to mimic a Traditional Japanese hot spring using Crystal Clear stones and pebbles instead of lava rocks you'd normally see at a Japanese hot spring. As a replacement for of hot water, the Crystal Ice Onsen uses thick fatty milk provided from a gentle sea creature called Milk Whale. And if it wasn't enough there laid a tree made out a chocolate, a Choco Tree, who's branches hung low enough to graze the water lovingly.

The chef was more than mesmerized as he stared on at the Onsen. 'Crystal stone- no diamonds all around the edges of the Onsen, the tranquil sway of the Choco branches, the beautiful shimmer of milk as the sun shines lightly down on it… the sunset in general! Ohhh my god it's beautiful.' Komatsu could go on forever about the scenery.

"Toriko-san, let's go in- EHHHHHH?!'

The Bishokuya was already lowering himself into the milk.

"Why do you always leave me?!"

"Ahhhhh, it feels so nice. Komatsu you gotta get in!"

"Wahhhh, hai hai!"

Komatsu rushed into the hot liquid without realizing the milk spring was a little bit deeper than what he was expecting. As the boy lowered himself into the milk, his grip on the edge of the Onsen had accidently slipped, causing him to sink to the bottom of the Onsen. Despite this Onsen being a family Onsen, with the boy being as short as a child; you really shouldn't be surprised that the depth of the pool was actually a foot taller than him. Eventually shooting back up from the milk, the chef- completely drenched and gasping for air, soon made a comically relieved face as he relaxed in the thick milky liquid.

"How'd it taste?" The Bishokuya laughed watching the boy now wiping the milk from his face. The Heavenly King was used to Komatsu and his little habits of putting himself in danger, but of course, if the man would have sensed a threat, he would of respond quicker than lighting and a little milk wasn't going to kill his chef. Toriko submerged himself under the hot liquid before coming back up directly in front of Komatsu yelling his ever so favorite phrase, "UME!"

Despite almost drowning in it Komatsu couldn't help but agree.

"Hai Toriko-san! They said this milk was much more nutritious than other but, I feel as if it's so much more than that!" The Chef couldn't stop himself from having a taste of the milk he floated in.

"Yeah, it is said that milk from a Milk Whale is 1,000 times fattier and nutritious than any land mammal making it good for daily drinking. In addition, it is said to make your skin silky smooth making it perfect usage for a hot bath if you soak long enough in it!"

Komatsu smiled and thought about the other Heavenly king, Sunny. "This place would be perfect for Sunny-san! Ne, Toriko-san? It has everything he probably lives for!"

Toriko chuckled before tilting his head back to look up at the darkened sky, "Sunny does come here often. He was here last time I visited with my missing arm. If I remember correctly, the guy was sitting in a mini Shark Onsen when he splashed us with his rainbow locks."

The little chef giggled and shifted as he decided to float on his back. He stared at the sky nonchalantly as he quietly listened to Toriko speak.

"Sunny, Coco, Zebra… it seems like nothing can keep us from being together. We always manage to end up together whether it's on the battle field or out searching for food. Heh, I take that back- the battle field is when we're searching for food." The heavenly king seemed content with his correction and continued to speak, "...Mhm, I'm pretty sure Sunny's somewhere in this country. Though I don't really wanna see him, that sly bastard… He'll just try and hog all your attention"

"What was that?"

"Nothing" The Heavenly king moved towards the boy again. The chef had floated away from him and Toriko felt the need to keep the boy in arms lengths distance. He smiled as he noticed a light pink shade tinted the boy's cheeks making Komatsu look much more child-like than what he should of.

The little Chef had closed his eyes as he felt Toriko move closer to him. He always felt at ease whenever Toriko was near.

"Toriko-san…do you think well find something here that can go into your full course?" Despite coming to the country of healing to relax, Komatsu couldn't help but think of the possibility they would find new indigents or end up hunting something down. It didn't really stress the boy out, but it did make him feel a little nervous since he shipped his knifes and unenlists back to Hotel Gourmet as part of his Mangers idea to help him 'relax' a little bit more.

Opening his eyes, Komatsu found himself being stared down by the Heavenly King.

"Mhm, Toriko-san?"

Toriko continued to stare, eyes never wavering from the little Chef. Komatsu glanced to the sides nervously before he returned the stare, "Um…Toriko-san?"

There had been pervious times before where the Heavenly King would space out on him. It usually happened when the two were alone together. Komatsu would start speaking and Toriko would space out on him. For the chef the common thing for him to do is just wait for his partner to come back to his senses or better yet, just simply call his name and grab his attention. In the past, after Toriko would snap out of his daze, Komatsu would ask him about his habit of spacing out, wondering if he bored his partner, or if he was bothering him; but the man would always give him the same response of "Nah, I'm just a little hungry" or "I'm fine" with the same reassuring smile.

But at this moment, apparently… Komatsu's words just didn't register with the man because he continued to stare away at the Chef.

With Toriko being so close, the Chef was close enough to bump his head again his partner stomach if he stretched his head up an inch. Despite Toriko body being built like a brick, the Chef went ahead and bumped his head into the man's stomach and waited for a response.

A few minutes went by and Komatsu laughed awkwardly to himself, 'Nothing... no response, no nothing. Really now Toriko-san?!' The Chef was still floating on his back, still being stared at by his partner, and still thinking about finding something for the man's full course. Komatsu thought about moving- but given that the top of his head was now brushed up against Toriko's stomach and the man still was starting him down, the boy figured that it would be better to let the man think.

…or not.

Not wanting to float on his back any longer, the boy moved himself into a vertical floating position and turned around to splash his partner with milk. Toriko's brows gave a slight twitch and Komatsu smiled at the subtle respond. He continued to splash the man again and again waiting for another response.

"Oi Oi! Stop!"

"No"

The boy continued to splash Toriko with Milk.

"Komatsu, stop."

"No… but what were you thinking about Toriko-san? You were pretty spaced out…-" Komatsu words died out along with the splashing before adding, "-…while you were staring at me. It was a little intense... Is something bothering you? Are you ok?" The little Chef stared at his partner before looking down to lightly tap his hands against the milk as if he was playing with it.

For a moment Toriko held a neutral expression as he again stared at the boy. 'I'm fine' He thought before shifting to a smile, Toriko reached out and ruffled his partner's hair. "I'm fine, Komatsu. Hey, why don't we head out? You're starting to overheat again."

"Wahhh, I didn't even overheat earlier! Toriko-san, I'm not kid!"

"Heh, well let's head out anyway. It's already dark and I'm hungry for dinner"

"Hai..."

"Don't worry about it so much, its nothing. You'll get gray hairs if you keep worrying, ya know? Man I'm hungry! Komatsu lets go eat!"

Komatsu puts on a smile while watching the bigger male make his way out of the Onsen. 'Again… he seems okay. I wonder if it's really just something he does… Toriko-san is such an odd person, but I'm sure he'd tell me if he really was worried about something. Plus, with a big man like him, I doubt he has any big worries!"

"Oi Komatsu, let's go or you'll really overheat"

"Hai hai, Toriko-san, coming!"

After grabbing a bite to eat at a stand in Unagi shop, the two made their way back to their vacation lodge and retired for the night. With a day's worth of being soothed by medical liquids they felt relaxed and pampered down like new born babies. Komatsu had ended up feeling a little bit nauseous on their walk home, and resulted to getting carried by Toriko, who took pride in telling the boy that this was because of the long exposure to heat back at the Onsen. Komatsu made no efforts to argue with him and ended up falling asleep.

Despite the relaxing day they had enjoyed, the two would soon find themselves experiencing something unexpected the next day.


Authors note: The first chapter is very slow and boring, oh baby, I know… but doesn't that make it more exciting when shit hits the fan?! Let me know if you have any questions or advice on my writing! All praises and flames are welcomed! Aloha loves and see you next time!:)