Sanji fiddled with his phone restlessly and stole quick glances at the last text message sent by Luffy every so often between nervous twiddling and fidgeting. The message had said to meet up at Blueno's Bar in the Water 7 district at 9 pm. And so there Sanji was, sitting on one out of just seven available bar stools inside the heavily crowded "Blueno's Bar" at 9 pm, waiting for Luffy and the others to arrive, whilst simultaneously attempting to subside a mild but highly unwarranted panic attack. Sanji convulsively berated himself over and over again for behaving so weak and powerless every time his eyes darted from the brawny looking bouncers to the limited amount of exits and escape routes in the club, which were also densely blocked by casual party goers.
Scorching anger began to infuse with his irrational, yet unruly dread and fear, causing Sanji to clutch at his sweaty forehead as a wave of nausea crashed into his already uneasy stomach. Why? Why, why, why...why in the fuck did this have to happen to him? Why can't he simply feel like a normal person would on a night out in a fancy bar? Why did he constantly have to be looking over his shoulder? Why did this feel so wrong to him?
His first initial reaction to Luffy's invitation was a definite no. However, after a long and contrite deliberation, he decided that, y'know what? It had been way too fucking long since he'd actually gone out and enjoyed himself. And this time he wouldn't be hidden away in the basement of a hotel, or miserably slinking his way around a lonely city park. No, he'd be in the company of some of the most amazing people he'd met in his life (bar one), he'd be toasting with any drink of his choice, he'd be dancing with beautiful women to classy, copacetic music that didn't leave his eardrums numb and ringing, and laughing at the hilariously drunk antics of the strawhat crew that were sure to ensue. And what would make it even better? If he were to feel no guilt whatsoever over the fact that he was having fun and that for once, he just wanted to feel like a normal person again. Yes, right now...that's all Sanji wanted.
How can you not feel guilty when you've ruined so many people's lives?
The haunting voice cut through Sanji's already shattered subconscious and sent a cold, sickening jolt through his quivering body. Shit...that voice...that unnatural, all knowing voice...he'd heard it before...within his aching nightmares, amongst hostile strangers...imbedded into his torturous memories. That inhuman voice helped to remind him that he deserved this...he deserved anything that would cause him pain or discomfort. Because nothing could compare to the pain he'd already inflicted upon others.
Sanji's rigid fingers bit into the neon pulsating barstand, threatening to tear a whole chunk out of it as adrenaline and fear flooded his veins. The entire bar tilted to one side like a ship that had run it's course and the sound of music and voices became distorted and incomprehensible.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! He should never have fucking come here, he should have just fucking hid in his squatty little alleyway where he wasn't a danger to the people around him.
Suddenly a young face popped into his vision and almost immediately realigned Sanji's fucked up senses. It was Luffy, staring at him with wide, curious eyes and a perplexed frown. Sanji seemed incapable of relaxing his body and prying his hand away from the bar.
"What's wrong Sanji?" Luffy asked openly. Sanji noticed the rest of Luffy's entourage who were standing close by, all wearing the same worried expression. Even Zoro looked genuinely concerned, an emotion Sanji thought the swordsman was incapable of expressing.
"I urrr…" Sanji stammered as he shakily rose up from his seat. However his mini panic attack left his legs sharing the same consistency with jelly and he stumbled forward clumsily. Ace's hand swiftly caught his shoulder and was able to support him.
"Woah, take it easy there pal! Don't tell me you've been knocking back cocktails without us!" Ace joked.
Sanji briskly straightened himself up and gently eased away Ace's obliging hand. He then rammed two fingers against his aching temples in an attempt to silence the incessant ringing that had begun to rattle his brain, before managing an awkward laugh, "Ha-ha no no of course not I urr...urr you know what, I'm not really feeling that well...I think I might have some kind of migraine." After lying through his teeth, Sanji managed to squeeze past the confused looking Strawhats but halted in his escape when a clammy hand grabbed his wrist.
"Ehh? D-don't tell me you're leaving Sanji?! But we only just got here and, AND it's New Year's Eveeeee!" Luffy whined.
"I-I know but I-"
"Aw come on Sanji can't you stay for just 10 minutes or something?" Usopp piped up as he slipped a persuasive hand behind Sanji's reluctant shoulder. "I bet Chopper's got some pills you can take, right Chopper?"
"Y-yeah! A couple of aspirins will get rid of a migraine in no time!" Chopper insisted as he rummaged around in his reliable backpack.
"Or you could take a shot of tequila! That'll numb your whole fucking body right up!" Ace said, accompanied by a racous cackle.
A new, freshly laid, guilt parasite latched on to Sanji's already self condemnating brain when he scanned over the disappointed faces of the strawhats. Perhaps he ought to stay...perhaps he really was being unnecessarily paranoid towards people who have only ever shown him kindness and undeserved generosity, "I urr..."
"Oh dear, are you leaving already Mr Black? I was hoping I could have a word with you?" The honeyed voice which came from behind prompted Sanji to spin round on his heels and gape at the presence of the beautiful Nico Robin, who was wearing an exquisite ebony dress which shrouded her in a dazzling yet surreptitious dark umbra. Sanji had shamelessly failed to even notice her in his panic-stricken state.
"...O-of course not Miss Robin!" Sanji spluttered foolishly, grimacing at the sight of Zoro rolling his eyes beside him. "M-maybe Ace is right maybe I just need a drink is all, u-urr please take a seat Miss Robin!"
Robin smiled graciously when Sanji cleared a path for her and offered up his reserved seat, "Oh yes uhm excuse us everyone, I hope I'm not being too rude but would it be possible to leave us two to have a little chat, it will only take a moment."
"Of course not Robin!" Nami piped up, "Come on guys I think they're serving jell-o shots over on that side."
The strawhat brigade banded together at the mention of jell-o shots and set forth towards the less hectic section of the bar, eagerly led by Ace and his exuberant younger brother. As the oldest member, Brook, passed him by, he placed a thin, spidery hand upon Sanji's shoulder and whispered into his ear, "Good luck Sanji-san."
"Ah thanks Brook," Sanji whispered back, as he straightened his tie.
"Oi cook I gotta talk to you, pronto," Zoro said, blocking Sanji's view of a slightly impatient looking Robin.
"Well then get in line marimo" Sanji hissed as his tolerance for the thickhead was already wearing thin.
"Listen cook I'm being serious right now, this isn't the time for your lovey-dovey, casanova crap got it? There's some serious shit we need to discuss ASAP."
Sanji's expression darkened and he tilted his head lethally closer to Zoro's stubborn face."Okay, you know what?", he said with a taut voice, "I don't question why you feel the need to stick a fucking sword in your mouth nor do I question why you even use swords to fight with in the first place!? Now fulfilling a lady's request may not seem important to you but is to me, so maybe you could not do the asshole thing for once in your life and fucking respect the fact that as a gentleman I have fucking duties to fulfill!"
Zoro's stony grimace wavered slightly at Sanji's spitty and caustic speech but he soon clicked his tongue and succumbed to his rising annoyance, "Tch, fine if you're gonna act like a douchebag then you deserve everything that's coming to you."
Sanji glowered at Zoro as he shoved his way past and into the dense crowd, before sleekly replacing his grimace with a charming smile as he sauntered his way over to Robin.
"Sorry about that Miss Robin," Sanji apologised as he tucked his hands behind his back.
"Not at all, please, take a seat," Robin smiled pleasantly as she offered up the barstool next which magically become available.
"Ah thankyou," Sanji said as he sat down, "Can I get you a drink?"
"Oh just an ice water for me please," Robin requested graciously. Her choice of beverage led Sanji to believe that Robin perhaps wasn't accustomed to drinking alcoholic drinks, since he'd distinctly remembered her refusing any beers or cocktails on Christmas eve. Or...perhaps it was something else.
"Oh, okay urr an ice water and a vodka and coke please," Sanji said mindfully as he took in the peculiar appearance of the barman standing stoically before them. He appeared to be adorning a very colourfully coordinated jester/clown outfit and a full faced mask...what the hell kind of themed bar was this?
"Mr Black," Robin spoke softly, grabbing Sanji's attention back almost immediately, "I was wondering if perhaps you could tell me how you were able to happen upon our little group of compatriots? I only ask because it's rare for a non-resident of the Sunny-go building to become acquainted with us."
"Ah I see well, I guess, to cut a long story short I managed to meet Luffy and your crew through the mari-I mean Zoro...although normally I wouldn't even allow myself to be seen consorting with a shit-head like him...and yet...here I am."
Robin's eyes, though still blank and listless, dimly sparkled with fascination, "Hmm that is interesting...I should probably mention that I've been able to come to the conclusion that you two share a rather profound bond."
Sanji was slightly taken aback by Robin's words and stammered on his own, "Oh I-I wouldn't call it a profound bond, more like annoying and unwanted."
"Nonsense- Oh thankyou," Robin said, pausing to look up and smile amicably at the bizarre barman character.
"You're welcome," the bartender droned in a deep and booming voice.
"I dare say I've seen a massive improvement in Swordsman-san since I returned from my trip, and I have no shadow of a doubt that the change has all been down to your newfound presence in his life."
"Haa...I see..." Sanji replied distractedly, still aware of the presence of the barman standing stoically behind the bar stand.
"All in all I believe you'll make a fine addition to our group, it's just in time too...seeing as there'll be another member on the way," Robin said in a melancholic tone before tentatively placing her hands upon her belly.
Sanji's eyes tracked Robin's fair hands and his brain was able to almost immediately process what she was trying to say. "M-miss Robin? A-are you pregnant?"
Robin nodded softly and her lips twitched, as if she were about to burst into tears, "3 months actually"
Sanji found Robin's wistful face a confusing sight, "C-congratulations!"
"Thankyou..."
Sanji was stuck for words, it was obvious Robin didn't want to discuss the subject further. Sanji was forced to sip at his drink awkwardly.
"Mr Black?"
"Ah please call me Sanji"
Robin gave a fake smile, "I'd really rather not"
Sanji was taken aback. He was right, he had offended her in some way...but how?
"Oh...alright," Sanji answered awkwardly.
Robin straightened out her dress, "Mr Black I would like to apologize for the way I acted last Tuesday...you see...when I first met you...for some reason I had this peculiar feeling that you seemed just like the kind of person my husband would get along well with."
Well...that was a strange thing to say. "Oh y-you're married?"
Robin lifted her eyebrows and smirked slightly.
Sanji's eyes widened as soon as he realised what he had implied, "I-I mean of course you're married! A beautiful woman such as yourself, everywhere you go guys must be begging you to marry 'em"
Sanji let out a strained laugh and pulled at his tie. Flirting used to come so easy to him...maybe he's a little rusty.
Robin didn't respond to Sanji's little hiccup, instead choosing to quietly sip at her water.
"I would love to meet you're husband though! I-is he here tonight?" Sanji asked in an attempt to mend the wounded conversation.
"No...unfortunately he passed away not too long ago," Robin said vacuously, her piercing eyes returning to Sanji.
Sanji's mouth went dry...what he wouldn't do to take back what he just said, "Oh...oh Miss Robin I'm terribly sorry."
Robin twisted her wedding ring, "He was such a smart man...and he was kind...yes...he was very kind...he was always doing what was right for people, you know? Which was hard for someone like him, seeing as he worked for this corrupt government."
No...no...it can't be...please God don't let it be...
"His name was Cutty Flam...but of course, you knew him by the name of "Franky", isn't that right, Mr Black?"
The club's music boiled down to white noise. Sanji's throat turned to sandpaper. He was close to choking on his own breath. This isn't happening, this can't be happening! Only a nightmare could conjure up something so fucking horrific.
But it is happening, said the voice...his voice.
And it's all my fault.
"So...how does it feel...knowing that you are the one responsible for depriving a woman of her husband and an unborn child of their father?!"
The final stab from the distraught black-haired widow, the final push over the cliff of utter and complete abolition.
Out of the corner of Sanji's shaking, wild eye, the bartender pulled of his mask to reveal a straight-faced, brutish CP9 agent and discretely aimed a thick barrelled gun at a ghostly-pale Sanji.
"Mr Black, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Cutty Flam. Give yourself up now and you will be detained and escorted to a police van parked outside this building, where we will await further instructions. If you do however choose to resist arrest, I will be forced to use this non-lethal tranquilizer gun. Now if you would be so kind as to place your hands behind your head."
Robin gritted her teeth as she tried to force her tears back...no more crying...that never got her anywhere.
"Please Mr Black, don't try to run...it will just just make this more difficult than it needs to be," she said without any remorse.
Sanji's mind was slipping, his sight became distorted beyond comprehension. Images of raging flames, swarming blood, and ghastly tears flashed across his collapsing mind. The cold sheen of sweat encasing his body caused him to shiver violently. Lights trailed across his eyes as he stiffly turned his head to meet his maker. So this is it...no more running...no more heartbreak...no more pain. Sanji gladly chose to shut his eyes in defeat...
Sorry Zeff...looks like I wouldn't be getting up this time...
...
...
...No!
Sanji's eyes flew open. Specific words glued his mind back together, written words, Franky's words.
Whatever you do, don't get caught.
He made a promise...and he sure as fuck was gonna keep it.
Sanji's sweaty fingers instinctively wrapped around his icy drink and he looked at Robin, "I just want you to know...I don't blame you."
Robin's mouth hung loosely...why did his words make her feel better? Robin watched Sanji's furtive fingers out of the corner of her eye. She smiled morosely. Your move, Mr Black.
Suddenly, Sanji threw the glass and its contents at the CP9 agent, who batted it away as if it were a fly. But the distraction allowed Sanji enough time to dive into the swarming crowd, point fiercely, and scream at the top of his lungs, "EVERYBODY RUN! HE'S GOT A GUN!"
Sanji didn't stop to witness Blueno's look of utter contempt for the government's best kept secret, instead opting to push through the strong current of people running for their lives and headed for the back exit. He scrambled to regain his lost balance as was knocked back a few times, looking back frantically to see the agent easily shove panic-stricken crowd members out of his way.
Sanji was slightly winded on his way up the stairs, as a stray elbow caught him in the stomach. He snatched the railing and heaved himself up the steps, flung himself across the upper floor, and came crashing into the fire exit door.
Sanji stopped breathing when the door remained stationary after a fruitless attempt at turning its handle.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," Sanji chanted desperately as he twisted the handle over and over, wishing, willing, the door to open and grant him his freedom.
Just as Sanji took a step back in preparation to kick the damn door down, a small, sharp force came into contact with his shoulder. He latched onto the handle for support, as a hellish, numbing sensation took a hold of his left arm and neck. Sanji shook away the black spots intruding his vision and was just able to make out a fuzzy image of the burly agent wrestling his gun out of the grip of a very pissed off looking bouncer.
Sanji was also able to make out the shape of a tranquilizer dart protruding from his shoulder. His breathing became labored and heavy. He let out a tired groan as he pushed himself away from the door, stumbling slightly. It's now or never…
Clumsily, Sanji made a haphazard attempt at kicking down the door, which succeeded in an incredible example of pure dumb luck.
Sanji careened out of the exit, losing full control of his body at an alarming rate. His legs seemed to carry his body in about five directions at once, unable to decide on a correct path to take.
"Cook?" A muffled, confused voice caught Sanji's lingering attention and he was able to make out a blurry, but familiar, shade of green.
"Marimo?" Sanji slurred.
Just as he felt his body finally succumb to the sedative coursing through his veins, a pair of strong hands caught his falling body.
"Hey, hey, hey, cook, cook? C'mon stay awake, you gotta stay awa...k...e…."
The distorted voice faded away just as Sanji's eyes closed, like curtains at the end of a play. He felt his grip on an unknown source of warmth loosen, and his hands fell pathetically to the cold, rough ground. His muscles gladly invited the relaxing sensation, permitting the drug to shut down Sanji's frenetic consciousness, to finally allow him to sleep in peace.
Zoro...please...for the love of God...get me the hell out of here...