Just a small product of smut. I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to their original creator(s).
North harbor; eight sharp. Wear something formal. Eris stared at the note and puckered her brow. She was confused. Frankly, something about this was shady. Who would want to meet with her at such an hour? It made no sense; not to mention the giver provided no additional information about themselves other than what she had just read. She laid the note on the table and returned her attention to the beautiful woman in front of her – the same woman Eris helped save.
"Is this a ruse?"
Reiju laughed, raising a hand in front of her mouth. "It's a diner reservation, so no. Consider it payment for what you did earlier."
At the mention of this, Eris heard a glass clatter against the dish rack and gave Sanji a worried look. He didn't seem to notice however, and continued to wash the dishes.
It was her turn to help him clean up, but Reiju stopped by and insisted that she speak with Eris. He was taking this just as she had expected, listening carefully when she knew he shouldn't be – they were in his kitchen after all, so the bright eyed woman couldn't blame him for eavesdropping.
"About that," Eris mentioned, glancing back at Reiju. "I was only doing Sanji a favor. Had he not asked me to, never would I have saved any of you."
Again Reiju laughed. "Then you have my gratitude, but it's not I who insists on paying you back. One of my brothers, Ichiji, does. He can't stand to owe anyone."
Not certain she knew who he was, Eris puckered her brow. In fact, she didn't think she had did much to protect them, other than help Chopper apply plugs to their ears during the tea party. Shaking her head, Eris tried to decline the offer to be repaid. "Tell him it's not necessary. I'm not interested." She honestly didn't want to associate herself with Sanji's family.
"If it were that easy," Sanji snorted. He turned and leaned against the counter, giving Eris a sympathetic look. "He's not going to let you say no. Sorry, but until you take him up on his offer, Ichiji won't let you be."
Reiju agreed with a nod. "Consider yourself lucky he's not trying to get revenge on you for calling him useless."
A searing heat spread across her face. "I-I don't remember doing that." Honestly, Eris didn't. But then, her mouth did often run and get her into trouble when she had something to say. But when? I must have said it before I plugged his ears. How in the world could he have heard me with all that screaming? Eris could barely hear herself think at the time. The Germa are remarkable, she included. And I had to go and make an enemy out of one of them.
A deep, unhappy sigh left her mouth. She really didn't have much of a choice in spite of her concerns. Bobbing her head, Eris silently agreed.
Reiju lifted from the bench, ready to go. She had done what her little brother asked; deliver the message. Eris was hesitant, but in the end she agreed. It made her smile just to see how much trust the woman had in Sanji. Maybe that's why Ichiji asked her to speak with Eris in his stead, because he knew that Sanji would never let one of his own crew accept such an offer. With her – the only familial he spoke to – as the intermediary, Sanji would rationally see that whatever Ichiji wanted he'd take. For some reason, unbeknownst to her, the oldest brother had an interest in her. His motives didn't concern Reiju; she'd rather watch this develop, but she had to admit, her little brother was playing with fire if he thought crossing the Straw Hats would curb his humor.
A smile curled her lips. "I will let him know you accepted his offer." Reiju gave a brief nod to her brother and exited the kitchen, nearly running into Luffy on her way out – a white and red mottled snake rested around his shoulders.
Eris frowned. "Tell me I've made a huge mistake. There's still time to take back my answer."
"Wish I could," Sanji responded. He lit up a cigarette and took a long drag from it. "But trust me, if he wounds you in anyway I'll kick his ass."
A gentle laugh came from her. "Thank you, Sanji. You're too sweet." Eris laughed again as hearts filled his eyes. She doubted any of his brothers could be as considerate.
This brought her back to an issue she easily looked over earlier. I have nothing formal to wear.
This is … awkward. Eris felt her face warm up; the attention was too much. Not only did she feel uneasy, but she looked over dressed as well. Nami and Robin were nice enough to get her ready – fix her hair and let her borrow a dress – but they out did themselves. She wanted nothing more than to turn and run from the intent looks she was getting, but not sure she'd be able to run in heels Eris stayed and waited.
After a minute or two longer, standing on the dock, Eris gathered that her date – or his brothers for that matter – weren't going to stop gawking at her, and cleared her throat loudly.
"We're going to be late if we don't go," she said. Honestly, she wasn't sure which of the three she was addressing. Eris forgot to ask Sanji to describe what Ichiji looked like. She just assumed he'd be alone, but he wasn't.
To her relief, one of them stepped forward. He was tall – not as tall as the one behind him, but noticeably taller than Eris – wearing a dark shirt with a single shoulder cape fastened beneath his neck. She identified him by his hair, red as her own, as being the first one she aided during the raid on the tea party. Reiju said I called him useless. Even now, seeing him, she didn't remember.
Holding back a nervous shiver, Eris moved forward to meet him. "Ichiji … right?" She waited for him to nod before lowering her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Scarlet Eris."
A laugh bellowed out from behind him; the green haired brother. "That's something. She has manners to go with that cute face."
"It's not that surprising," Eris mentioned while glancing at him. Her eye twitched in annoyance. "Despite being a pirate I know how to show respect when needed to." But that doesn't mean I won't kick your ass if you make another remark about my intelligence. Eris faked a gentle smile, returning her attention to the red haired prince in front of her. He made her feel uneasy, watching her intently behind his shades. She honestly couldn't read him.
"It's not polite to stare, Ichiji-san. I might get the wrong idea," she added impishly.
Ichiji smirked. "What idea would that be?"
"That this … was a mistake," Eris warily said. Warmth spread across her face.
"That's yet to be seen."
Frankly, she hoped that he'd agree. Yet, when he offered up his arm, Eris knew she was in for a long night. Forcing another smile, she circled his elbow and held onto his sleeve. The distant taunts from his brothers were the only noise she heard as Ichiji led her along the dock.
The silence between them was deafening – Eris hated to admit it, but she wished he'd speak. Suppose I'll have to start the conversation first. Only problem was, she couldn't think of a meaningful thing to say. "Is it … fine if I refer to you as I had already? I didn't ask before." Eris didn't want to insult him – Sanji mentioned that his brothers were touchy.
Ichiji snorted in laughter. She was an odd pirate. "Under normal circumstances I'd insist you call me Your Highness, but that can be forgiven tonight. But, should ever we meet again, showing me the respect I deserve will keep you on my good side."
As a prince, Ichiji couldn't allow her – a commoner – to affront him, even though it was her mouth that grabbed his attention in the first place. She was either insane or bold for calling him useless; the latter he assumed. Either way, Ichiji liked it. Like a bullet piercing through, Eris cast herself into his thoughts. She tore down his composure with just a sentence, and being so full of pride, Ichiji couldn't forgive her.
This date was the only way to rid himself of her – fighting would just be a waste of his time. Besides, who was he to complain. He got to be seen with a pretty woman on his arm; Niji and Yonji were on the warpath. Ichiji chuckled at this, seeing her glance up at him in concern.
"We should continue this once we arrive at the restaurant – or else this will be a short, meaningless dinner," Ichiji mentioned, changing the subject. Hopefully this would cover his slip up.
Eris frowned, but agreed regardless. She was worried this night was going to take a turn for the worse.