Angel of Death Fruit
Book One: Deadline
By Dixxy Mouri
Chapter 6 – March 3, 12:00 pm
After about a day, Robin and Nami had combed the shoreline of the island – they found one other ship, most likely belonging to Elizabeth Stoker and her employees. They checked the ship for signs of anyone still on board but found no one – they had apparently packed up and headed for somewhere else. They also checked a few caves, but each of them proved to be empty. There was no sign of a possible third party's ship, though Robin mentioned that it wasn't unheard of for someone to be marooned on a Wild Isle.
That left the interior of the island, and it was thick with trees and other difficult to navigate terrain. Trying to find Sanji was going to be tough – even assuming that Stoker was on this island. Nami was notably worried. "What if she's teasing us and she's brought Sanji somewhere far away? What if this search is useless?"
"The Devil Fruit that weasel ate, the Teleport Teleport fruit, can't travel that great a distance – perhaps a mile at best, and there isn't another island within a mile of the shore, nor another boat close enough. They're still on this island," said Robin, crossing her arms. "We just need to figure out where they are in the less than sixty hours."
Nami sighed. "Well, that's sightly comforting, but it's still going to be hard just to find him. And then we need to figure out what his Mercy Task is, keep him away from that woman, and complete it," she said. She started walking towards the trees. "While we're walking, maybe we should try and figure out some possible suspects for what his Mercy Task is."
Robin nodded. "Wise idea, Navigator-san," she said. As the two women began to move through the trees, Robin began to ask questions and Nami tried to reason through them, hoping that she would have an epiphany or give her companion an idea. "What do we know about Cook-san's personality and goals that might hint at a possible Mercy Task?"
"Well, his major goal in life is to find All Blue, but there's no actual proof it exists, and even if it does, there's no way we'd be able to find it in time," said Nami. She shook her head. "Then again, he talks about it – that means he isn't in danger of us finding out and becoming poisonous to him."
"He likes to cook," Robin said.
"But he does that way too often," said Nami. "It has to be something he's actively interested in that he doesn't get much of a chance to do." She sighed. "He was passionate about getting a bounty. . . but he did that already, so that isn't it. He's been co-owner of a business, and he was pretty passionate about the Baratie."
Robin snapped her fingers. "Women."
Nami rolled her eyes. "Sanji does well with women. . ."
The older woman shook her head. "Does he really? He likes to try and flirt with them and romance them, but how far has he actually gotten with any of them?" Robin asked. She crossed her arms. "It's something he's consistently going after and doesn't seem to have the best results with. I've never seen him succeed."
Nami was almost ready to start laughing. "No way! Sanji's a bit of a pervert and he's a bit forward, but there's no way he's gone twenty years without. . . something. . . with a woman," she said. But little by little, Nami started to recall many, many incidents were the poor cook had tried so hard to get a girl's attention, and failed terribly. "I mean. . . he's not that terrible. . . he's just. . . Robin, what if you're right? What if THAT's his Mercy Task?"
"I know I haven't seen anyone kiss him," said Robin.
The navigator thought that over, still a bit dumbfounded at their sudden revelation. "You're right. I'm pretty sure he's kissed hands, but I've never seen him kiss a girl on the lips." She turned to Robin with wide eyes. "Perhaps this would explain his desperation to be with a woman and why he's unable to control himself around women – perhaps even an explanation for his chivalrous ways as well."
"He needs something from them," said Robin.
Nami lowered her eyes. "He hasn't had a real first kiss."
"Perhaps."
"Then. . . that's the Mercy Task?"
"Sometimes they are deceptively difficult – perhaps his desperation to be kissed has been counter-productive," said Robin. She smiled, bending slightly to place a hand on Nami's shoulder. The navigator turned to the archaeologist in confusion. "This of course means that you, Navigator-san, should be the one who kisses Cook-sajn."
"WHAT!?" asked Nami, looking at Robin in shock. "Why me?!"
The archaeologist frowned. "He said he loves you – even if it's not his Mercy Task, he would be able to die happy knowing that a woman he cares so much about kissed him good-bye," said Robin. She brushed her hair behind her ears and placed a hand on Nami's shoulder. "I think it would be rather touching."
"That's
so morbid!" said Nami. "Stop saying creepy things like
that!"
Robin shrugged. "Just a thought." She continued ahead
of Nami. "And it wouldn't be so bad, Navigator-san. You and
Cook-san are friends, aren't you? You wouldn't have to think of it as
anything romantic – just a friendly kiss between two friends to
save one friend's life. You have nothing to loose."
Nami frowned. "But it's Sanji-kun! Why would I kiss him?"
Robin turned around. "Why wouldn't you?"
"Because. . . he's Sanji-kun?"
The older woman seemed to realize something, and she smiled. "You're afraid."
"Excuse me?!" said Nami. The older woman smiled as she noticed the navigator was beginning to blush. "Why would I be afraid of Sanji-kun? He's Sanji-kun! He doesn't hit girls so I know he wouldn't hurt me and besides, we both have him under our thumbs! Out of everyone in the crew he's probably the one we should be the LEAST afraid of!"
Robin laughed. "That's not what I mean! Of course we have no reason to fear Cook-san."
Nami fumed. "All right, Robin – what am I afraid of?"
"You're afraid you'll like it."
NOW Nami was getting angry. "LIKE IT!?" Nami asked.
"If there's one thing I've learned about co-ed pirate crews, it's this – being out at sea for long stretches of time with your crew mates can occasionally lead to a little sexual tension – it's no big deal," said Robin. "Cook-san isn't the only one who'd like a little attention on the ship, I'm sure. Didn't you get a reaction out of almost all of the boys when you flashed them in Arabasta?"
Nami blushed. "So? They're all horny. Big deal."
"You read romance novels and dress in sexy clothing – you don't act like it, but you wouldn't mind curling up with a man, would you? I'll admit – even I think about once in a while. I don't see anything wrong with it – it's a biological need to satisfy hormonal urges steeped in a desire to procreate, but there has to be something to intimacy with a partner as well," said Robin. "Unless, of course, you like women."
"I'm not a lesbian!"
"So you do like men," said Robin.
Nami clenched her fists. "I lost my virginity when I was fourteen," she said though gritted teeth. "It was in the bowels of a pirate ship I was trying to rob and I got caught – the pirate who caught me said he'd let me go if I let him have his way with me and you know what? I did. It was disgusting and gross and he smelled terrible. . . I haven't had a lot of good experiences with men. I know that none of our nakama would do something like that but every time I've let a man touch me it's been something like that."
Robin paused as Nami continued down the trail. She frowned. "I'm sorry, Navigator-san. I didn't know about your sexual history. If I had known I. . . if you'd like, I will kiss him. After all, we just need to complete the Mercy Task so he doesn't die, and them we can all go back to the ship, right?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever." Nami's voice was wavering as terrible memories seemed to flood back to her. "I just. . . it's not your fault, Robin." She laughed. "I'm probably being overly sensitive about it, right? I'll be fine. It's me – I've survived a lot of tough stuff, and I've been surviving this for four years. I can keep doing it."
I've obviously hit a sore spot with Navigator-san – I'd better make sure she's all right.
March 3, 6:00 pm
Sanji sighed, feeling terrible. There hadn't been very many people in the room since his uncle left after telling him – in great detail – about what had happened to the only family he had left. How. . . how could he. . . they didn't deserve that. . . why did he do it. . . he had nothing to gain from . . . that bastard! He clenched his eyes shut as the pain came back.
Sanji wasn't sure what made his uncle think killing off the rest of his family a good idea – even though he didn't really think he'd see either one of them again, the thought that they were still alive and well had been a precious thought for him all these years, and now it had been torn to shreds. "Why?" he said.
I. . . I can't worry about that now. There's nothing I can do for them. Right now, I have to think about whether or not I'm going to survive. Sanji had figured out that Nami and Robin were looking for him based on the passing comment on one of the people Stoker had sent to check up on him, and at the very least he owed them a fighting chance. I can't give up knowing they're coming after me. . .
Especially if she's coming after me. . .
Sanji couldn't help but take some comfort in knowing that Nami was amongst his would-be rescuers. Certainly he was in love with her (or at least he thought he was), and even if she didn't love him back, he knew she considered him a friend at the very least and he didn't want her to be hurt on account of him. So he had to stay alive so he could be rescued and let Nami know that everything was okay.
Especially if they figure out I've gone twenty years without ever kissing a woman.
It was embarrassing but true. Sanji, the flirt, the pervert, the womanizer, had never kissed a woman (well, at least one he wasn't related to). Heck, if the Marimo knew that, he'd never hear the end of it and be teased for his inexperience for a long time to come. He'd come close to his first kiss more times than he could count, but at the last second every girl he'd tried to kiss would back away and find some excuse or reason why she had to leave right away, and it always hurt. Not just because he had once again failed to save his own life, but because he was rejected – again.
And again.
And now, after so many failed attempts, he was in a lot of trouble. Time was almost up, and even if Nami and Robin did find him in time, he couldn't tell them what they needed to do. And yet, at this point, they were probably the only people who could help him. A kiss from Elizabeth Stoker was going to kill him, and he highly doubted any of her female minions would want to spoil her catch – that left the girls. Good thing they're both smart.
Getting desperate, Sanji decided to see how tight the ropes were. Although that had been enough to support his weight when he was unconscious and kept him from reaching his uncle, that didn't mean they were strong enough to stay put if he fought against them. Besides, his arms hurt and even if he was swamped with Stoker's henchmen the second he freed himself, at least he'd get a chance to relax them a little bit. Even THAT would make temporary freedom worth it.
Not that he didn't think he could take her henchmen. Most of them would probably be easy enough to beat. But his uncle would have a severe advantage over him if he started to get sick, and Elizabeth Stoker was. . . well. . . Elizabeth Stoker. He didn't even want to try fighting her, even if he did hit women.
Much to his surprise, after a few jerky movements, he could hear the rope begin to break. You have GOT to be kidding me, he thought. He shook his hands a little more – they loosened even further, until eventually the rope snapped and his wrists were free. Rubbing his wrists, he started to walk towards the door.
Sanji looked out the door and looked both ways – he didn't see any sign of his captors, but he was certain once they figured out he was loose the entire place would be searched from top to bottom. There's no way I'm getting out of here easily. . . but maybe I can find something useful if I poke around for a bit. . .
Still. . .
Double-checking to ensure that no one was around, Sanji slipped out the door.
March 3, 6:30 pm
Sanji was able to explore his prison for a good half hour without interuption. He found very little of actual interest – a loose cigarette that was probably left behind by one of Stoker's henchmen (something that he REALLY wanted – badly) and not much else. After enjoying the smoke, he continued his search for something useful.
Maybe I can find something to light a fire with – the smoke might alert Nami and Robin to where I am, or even get the attention of Luffy and the others. Even the Marimo wouldn't want me dead, right? But, I'd need to find a place to light a fire and let the smoke get outside. And I'd need to make sure I wasn't found. Sanji sighed – this was not going to be easy.
He eventually came to the conclusion that the place he was being held in was probably an old, abandoned castle-like structure. Most likely, if he remembered the stories Zeff told him as a child correctly, it had been part of an old plan the World Government had a few hundred years ago to give people a place to stay if they were caught on a Wild Isle. However, sometime after the Eternal Pose was invented, and the need for such buildings didn't exist anymore.
Unless, of course, you landed on a Wild Isle without an Eternal Pose.
Sanji found a door that was slightly ajar and he looked inside. It was dark, but he could make out old boxes, pieces of furniture, and lots of sheets – definitely some kind of a storage room. Maybe there's something useful in here. . . Carefully, he pushed the door open – much to his relief, it didn't make a noise – he slowly stepped in and closed the door behind him, leaving it slightly ajar in case anyone wanted it that way (and to give him a heads up if someone entered the room).
Despite Zoro's insistance that he was an idiot love-sick cook, Sanji wasn't an idiot – he and his brother got into trouble regularly as children, and getting themselves out of that trouble was a skill they'd both developed early on. Those same skills were useful when on the Orbit, or the Baratie, and they were put to the test when the Straw Hats were in Arabasta, Skypiea, and Robin was in danger of being killed by the World Government.
Sanji took a few steps inside, and heard a gasp. He froze in place – someone else was in the room. Swallowed, Sanji took a few steps backward, trying to scan the room for the possibility of finding whoever it was in the room with him. If it's a guy, I can kick his ass. If it's a woman. . . I don't know what I'm going to do.
Unfortunately, Sanji backed into a table, causing the contents of the table to jump a little.
The next minute was chaotic.
Whoever was in the room screamed (and by the voice it was probably a female) and jumped out of their hiding place, crashing into Sanji. He let out a yell as they tumbled to the floor and a skinny female frame was suddenly pinning him to the ground. They stayed like that for a minute – Sanji froze in place as she pinned his wrists to the floor.
Sanji couldn't see her too well, but he realized she was definitely examining him. He could barely breath – was this girl working for Elizabeth Stoker? However, the girl suddenly gasped in alarm and flew off him, backing into a corner. Sanji sat up, trying to spot her. Her outline was scarcely visible, and he could barely see her eyes staring back at him in the dark. Is she. . . afraid?
The girl made her way towards the door in a bit of a hurry after she realized he'd spotted her, but paused to look at him. Sanji wasn't sure if she could see him very well, as his eyes still weren't adjusted to the dark room. He could see her eyes, though, and at one point they locked. Neither spoke a word. The heels of her shoes clicked against the floor as she backed into the door, then quickly opened it and ran out of the room.
He barely saw the butterfly tattoo on the small of her back and flipped blond hair under a black hat as she made her exit. He heard fast paced clicking as she apparently ran down the hallway – to where, he wasn't sure. Sanji stared at the door for a minute, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
Who. . . whoever that was, I don't think they were supposed to be here. What the hell is going on? He wondered. He sighed, stood up, and brushed himself off. He paused in contemplation. But if she wasn't supposed to be here. . . then maybe she isn't running to tell Stoker where I am. Otherwise she would have been screaming that she'd found me or something – maybe try to stop me from running – but she just wanted to get the hell out.
Sanji turned back to the storeroom. If he was to be undisturbed for a little bit, he might be able to come up with some kind of plan to, at the very least, make sure Nami-san and Robin-chan would get out of this alive and unharmed. At the very least, even if he was doomed to die, he needed to know they would be okay.
Author's Notes
I needed help on this chapter – big time. Big thanks to Chris-kun. This was a toughie, partly because it's largely transitional. The following chapter should have some action and maybe a surprise or two. We'll see how good of a storycrafter I am.
Sorry about the delay – end of the school year stuff and what-not happened, plus I was a little picky with this chapter to boot. The next chapter has some material written (and the chapter after it even more), so there might be more frequent updates over the summer.
Dixxy
