Title: Company in the ashes
pairing: Smo/Sanji, Smo/Ace, sorta Zo/luff
words: 225
rating: G
topic: emotion for Opyaoi100

Notes: written in August 2008


The marines of course hadn't given him a funeral.

The Whitebeard pirates put one on that would have put whatever the shitty marines thought of to shame anyway.

A dog headed marine ship was still in the distance, observing the bonfire, eulogy stories, and party in the mans honor with silent observation.

Luffy was bouncing between fits of wailing tears, burning anger, and huge smiles depending on the accounts given by those who had loved his brother on the platform.

Sanji had wanted to comfort him, if anything to feel more than the cold numbness invading his heart. Marimo had beaten him to it though, supportive hand already on the captains back.

Sanji really didn't want to be alone with this sharp empty feeling. The girls had already gone back to the ship with Chopper, Brook, and Franky. Usopp was the one speaking now on the stage.

He spotted the sharp eyes watching everything a small distance away and made his way over.

Sanji stood next to Smoker silently and neither acknowledged each other. No need to ask why he was here, the waves of suppressed anguish rolling off him spoke volumes.

The cigar in his mouth wasn't lit.

Sanji knew he could never replace Ace, but they both needed the company and there was something he could do for the man.

"Need a light?"