The Bracelet
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Warning: Captain Kidd acts a like a pornstar in this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 14:
"Minna! Nami-swan~ Robin-chawn~ dinner awaits you, my beautiful flowers! Guys, grub's ready! Get your asses in here!" Sanji called.
"MEAT!" Luffy cried with glee as he burst through the galley door. He was followed behind by Nami and Robin. Then a few minutes later, Ussop, Brook, Franky and Chopper entered.
Zoro was the last to enter the galley. He looked at the dinning table, which had been laid out with an extravagant lobster dinner. It looked amazing. The cook had even set the table with placemats, a vase of flowers, and lit candelabra - this added an extra touch since this was a party to celebrate the cook's return. Something that Zoro truly felt was cause for celebration.
Sanji motioned Zoro over to a specific seat. "Sit here, moss-head." Sanji drawled.
Zoro grunted and made his way over to the seat and sat down. He looked down at his plate that had two beautiful lobster tails, a large pile of sautéed garlic potatoes, a side salad, and a piece of freshly baked bread with a melting cube of butter on it and had to hold back his drool. Zoro looked at the others' plates and blinked. Everyone else had just one lobster tail but Zoro had two! A blush crept up Zoro's face and covered his face with his hand. The cook is killing me.
Zoro turned to meet Sanji's mischievous gaze. The cook winked roguishly at Zoro as he took out a cigarette, lit it with his lighter and took a drag.
Zoro could feel his heartbeat quicken and he flushed even more. Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump. The cook had just winked at him.
"Let's eat!" Luffy exclaimed as he began to dive in and shovel food into his mouth at a tremendous rate.
'This looks delicious Sanji. Thank you." Nami offered the cook. She was trying to be nice to Sanji so that she could get brownie points with Luffy. Nami looked over at her captain to see if he had noticed her effort and sighed when she saw that her captain was completely captivated by Sanji's food and not her.
Sanji smiled, looking pleased at Nami's comment, but strangely enough he didn't go loopy, do his noodle dance, and his eyes didn't turn into hearts. Instead he kept his gaze inconspicuously on Zoro.
Everyone began to tuck into their meal and compliments and moans of delight rang through the galley.
Sanji waited nervously to hear what Zoro would say about his cooking. "So marimo, how's the grub?" Now that he and Zoro were friends Sanji thought that the swordsman might finally give him an honest answer. He held his breath as a feeling of excitement welled up inside of him.
Everyone seemed to fall silent, curious to how Zoro would respond this time, and if he'd respond with his usual bland 'it's okay' or some other cool way. Zoro put a piece of the succulent lobster that seamed to melt on his tongue into his mouth. It had a buttery flavor and he could taste garlic too. It was divine. "It's…delicious." Zoro looked up and stared at the cook. "Like your cooking always is."
Sanji sucked in a breath of surprise and began to cough on his cigarette smoke. Smooth, Sanji real smooth. He berated himself, surprised that Zoro's words had effected him so much.
Luffy was grinning at Zoro and Sanji - he liked it when his first mate and his cook got along. He knew that they had the potential to become an unbeatable team.
Robin had an interested gleam in her eyes as she looked back and forth between Zoro and Sanji. "How interesting."
Ussop looked at Zoro's plate and pouted. "Hey~ why did Zoro get two lobster tails, Sanji~? That's no fair!" The sharpshooter whined.
Sanji blushed.
"WHAT?! ZORO GOT MORE MEAT THAN ME?! SANJIII! I'M YOUR CAPTAIN! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ZORO!" Luffy yelled out at the top of his lungs.
It was Zoro's turn to choke on his food and give Luffy a wide-eyed and slightly panicked look. Love? Luffy didn't love the cook like that, right? Naw. And Luffy didn't know that he was secretly in love with Sanji, right? Naw. Zoro took a deep, calming breath. No one knew his secret. He was being paranoid.
Nami playfully bonked Luffy on the head. "Luffy, I think you meant to say 'like' - you can't 'love' another guy." She said firmly.
Zoro winced at Nami's words. That Sea Witch…
Luffy pouted. "But I do love Sanji…and Zoro loves Sanji too."
Zoro stood up abruptly from his seat at the table and angrily slammed his hands down on the table causing it to shake and the candelabra to rattle. Zoro opened his mouth to object but the words were caught in his throat. He just couldn't deny his love for Sanji aloud.
But Sanji saved him upon seeing Zoro's plight. "Guys, stop teasing Zoro. Obviously Zoro doesn't like me…like that. We're…friends now. I think. Right Zoro?" The cook asked tentatively. He thought it might be presumptuous to start going around calling Roronoa Zoro his friend…
Zoro's expression relaxed. "Right, friends." He agreed in a gruff voice before sitting back down in his seat. That Luffy…!
"Ah, how romantic. Oops, I'm sorry. I mean, ah, how friendly. Friendship is such a beautiful thing." Brook declared causing Zoro's eye to twitch.
The meal was quickly finished without further incident and Sanji brought out dessert - fruit sorbet and coffee. As everyone began to dig into their sorbet Zoro spoke up. "I think now would be a good time to tell us what you've learned, Robin."
Sanji frowned at Zoro. "Zoro, don't rush a lady."
Robin chuckled as Zoro and Sanji glared at each other and lightning seemed to flash between their gazes. Some things never changed apparently. "Zoro's right…now where shall I begin?" Robin steepled her fingers in front of her and gave everyone an intense look before she turned to look at Sanji. "The poneglyph I read in the Wizards Tower where the sword Aoi was being kept did indeed mention our cook…at least I think so. This is what the poneglyph said:
"Long ago there was an island called All Blue Island. Upon this island unique blue flowers bloomed. The waters surrounding the island contained fish from all four of the seas. This was the result of a magical enchantment the wizards of the island had cast. Around the waters of the island, there existed a unique fish with magical properties. It was dark blue and had golden swirls on it. Some called it the Devil's Fish. This rare fish was a 'treasure' that was so valuable that many wars were fought upon the island as a result. Many sought to gain control of the island - pirates, marines, the world government.
"The island's inhabitants were driven to extinction and the people who had conquered the island realized their mistake in killing the islanders off because only one of the islanders had the power to 'call' a Devil's Fish from the sea using their 'song'. However, a single child was said to escape the massacre. The wizards of the island used a powerful spell to teleport the child to North Blue. The child is known as 'The Chosen One' and is destined to wield Aoi. Upon the sister ponegylph that resides in the Azure Temple the Chosen One's family history is told in greater detail. The child - like the other islanders who lived there - will have the spiraled brows that were unique to the kingdom's people.
"Sanji is from North Blue and he has the curled eyebrows of his lost people…that's why I believe Sanji must be the Chosen One." Robin concluded.
Sanji took a deep pull from his cigarette to calm his frazzled nerves, and Zoro noted that his hand was trembling.
All Blue is an island…and I'm from there? All Blue…is undeniably real. My dream is a possibility not just a dream. Sanji swayed on his feet as he tried to take in everything Robin had just revealed to him. I had 'people' and they've all been killed because of some fish…my parents must have been massacred as well.
The crew were all looking at Sanji expectantly - curiously - with baited breath to see what Sanji's reaction would be.
"Well…that's great, isn't it?" Ussop burst out, impatiently. He couldn't take the tension that was in the air any longer. "Sanji…All Blue is a real place. We can go there and fulfill your dream together!"
"Go to All Blue Island?" Brook murmured and grinned. "Yes, I'd like to accompany you all there as well." Esmeralda~ perhaps you are there upon the shores waiting for me…immortal and beautiful? Brook let out a wistful sigh of longing.
"Great?" Sanji echoed softly.
"Wait, hold on - what happened to Sanji's parents?" Luffy asked.
Nami grabbed Luffy's ear and twisted it. "Idiot! Didn't you hear what Robin just said? Everyone was killed while fighting over some fish! Sanji's parents are dead. Everyone on the island was massacred except for Sanji who was sent away."
Sanji flinched at Nami's wording of the situation. "I…need a moment. Alone." Sanji said as he stumbled out of the galley while trying not to fall to his knees in front of everyone even though his legs felt like they had turned to jelly. He closed the door behind him quickly to cover up his unease.
Nami let out a frustrated sigh as she looked at the closed galley door. She sent a glare Luffy's way. "See what you did? Gah…."
Luffy put a hand behind his head in a sheepish gesture. "Wari, wari, sorry, sorry…"
While everyone was busy talking about the cook's reaction to the story, which everyone felt should have been much 'happier' in his or her not-so-humble opinions - Zoro stood up and slipped out of the galley unnoticed.
Zoro began to search for the cook on deck. He checked the bow and then headed towards the stern, which was where Zoro found the cook. An ashtray sat on the railing and several stubbed cigarettes were in the tray. A lit cigarette was in Sanji's hand right but he wasn't currently smoking it.
Sanji was singing.
A sad, wistful song about the fanciful fairytale All Blue…that was supposed to be a mystical sea filled with wondrous fish from all four seas.
Zoro sucked in a breath and froze. He remained perfectly still so that Sanji wouldn't hear him and stop singing.
Sanji continued to sing oblivious to Zoro's presence as he looked out over the inky black waters that lapped at the hull of the ship. A crescent moon shone overhead and was reflected on the water of the ocean below. The moon's beams gave the crests of the waves a silvery tinge. The stars glittered in the dark sky overhead and on the ocean below. Zoro noted that there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and no storms on the horizon. It wasn't windy either. It was a perfect cool night at sea.
Zoro had never heard Sanji sing before and he had to admit he was impressed. The cook had a lovely, raspy, sexy, sultry kind of voice. It was mesmerizing, captivating, hypnotic, spellbinding…Zoro couldn't decide what it was as various emotions washed through him as he listened.
When Sanji finished singing Zoro sucked in a breath when he remembered to breath and ended up panting for breath.
Sanji heard Zoro's gasping and turned around to face Zoro, eyebrow raised. "Zoro…"
"Hey cook…" Zoro ignored the cook's questioning stare as he strode past the cook to stand next to him at the stern railing and looked out at sea. "Beautiful night, huh?"
Sanji turned his attention back to the sea slightly surprised that Zoro was thinking the same thing he was. "Yea…what part of 'alone' did you not understand?" Sanji chided.
"What was that song?" Zoro ignored the question.
Sanji sighed and took a shaky drag from his cigarette. "A song from my past. It's the only thing I remember…I think my mother sang me this song…I hum it while I'm cooking sometimes…I'm usually too embarrassed to sing it out loud. A man singing?" Sanji chuckled in a self-deprecating way, and a sad shadow fell over his face. "There's nothing beautiful about that."
Zoro was shaking his head and he gripped the railing in front of him tightly. "You're wrong. I think…your signing was beautiful, cook." Almost as beautiful as you. Zoro thought secretly in his head.
You should just tell him. Aoi whispered in Zoro's mind.
Shut up, ero-sword. Zoro shot back in his mind.
Ero-sword? Why, I never! Foul-mouthed pirate! Aoi complained in an indignant tone.
Sanji turned to gape at Zoro and his cigarette fell out of his mouth - hit his pants and hit the deck. "Shit…" Sanji crushed the cigarette with his shoe. Sanji turned his face to look at the water as he tried to hide his blush from Zoro. "You really think so?"
"Yea…could you sing it again?" Zoro requested.
"O-Okay…" Sanji cleared his throat and sang for Zoro.
Zoro smiled to himself…that song…the singing really was incredible. And this little concert was just for him. Zoro felt some emotion well up in his chest.
SPLASH.
There was a sudden loud splash and then a dolphin leapt up out of the water - it's body looking silvery-blue in the moonlight - and arched back down into the dark ocean waters with another splash.
"A dolphin…" Sanji breathed. "I love dolphins. They're so elegant and so…free."
"That so?" Zoro rumbled, giving the cook an affectionate look. The cook's blue eyes were sparkling and a smile was tugging at his lips. Sanji looked incredibly handsome when he was happy.
And then several dolphins began leaping up and out of the water, arching down dramatically, and looking as though they were soaring through the starry sky for a moment just before they cut into the ocean waters once more. The dolphins began to pursue the Thousand Sunny and some of them leapt and danced playfully.
"I think they liked your singing too, cook." Zoro joked, wry grin on his face.
Sanji hit Zoro's arm - but not very hard. "Idiot…I doubt it but…this is incredible. I've never seen dolphins act like this before…"
"Yea…" Zoro agreed as he watched the dolphins continue to leap up into the air and spin and dance…as if they were happy and celebrating something. They even began to call out making that strange dolphin sound that almost sounded like a dolphin's laugh. "Eeee….eee…eeee!"
"Keep singing, cook." Zoro said.
Sanji snorted but did as he was told, opened his mouth and sang. The dolphins got even more excited…and then in the distance there was a tremendous splash. Up out of the ocean a killer whale rose, leapt through the air and crashed back down into the water. The ripples it created approached the Thousand Sunny and when the waves hit, the ship was rocked back and forth.
"Whoa." Sanji breathed as he swayed on his feet.
Zoro reached out and grabbed Sanji's arm to steady him automatically. "Yea…maybe you better stop singing…you could end up summoning a Sea King." Zoro teased.
"Pfft." Sanji snorted in disbelief. "Yea right." But he stopped singing and there was a thoughtful frown on his face. "Zoro…"
"Yea?"
"Your hand is still on my arm." Sanji deadpanned.
Zoro immediately let go. "Ah, sorry…"
Sanji chuckled as he got out another cigarette, lit it, and took a drag. "I'm only messing with you, marimo. I'm going to go do the dishes…"
"Stay." Zoro found himself saying and he was surprised at himself for being so bold. "Just for a little while longer."
Sanji stilled and he turned back around to gaze at the trailing dolphins. It had been a while since he had just taken a break and relaxed and enjoyed anything. The marimo was right. He deserved this moment. "Yea, okay…"
Zoro and Sanji stood at the stern of the Thousand Sunny watching the dolphins play for thirty minutes before Sanji headed to the galley with Zoro trailing along behind him unconsciously. When Sanji turned around and asked Zoro what the hell he was up to - Zoro quickly replied that he wanted to help Sanji with the dishes. Thankfully, Sanji believed him and allowed Zoro to help him clean up all the dishes that had been left over from the feast. After Zoro had a drink, the two men made their way to the men's bunkroom and got ready for bed and got into their respective hammocks (much to Zoro's disappointment, hey, a swordsman has the right to dream) and went to sleep.
That night Sanji's dreams were filled with the ocean, fish, dolphins and strangely enough a green-haired swordsmen. He had no nightmares that night and slept peacefully for once.
The next day, Sanji woke up early as usual as his internal clock told him it was time to get up to make the crew breakfast. He took a quick shower, got dressed in his new suit, and went to the galley to get breakfast ready. He was surprised by how well rested he felt, and there were no dark shadows beneath his eyes. Instead the dreams he recalled were of his favorite things: the ocean, dolphins, Zoro. Not that Zoro was one of his favorite things…Sanji quickly amended in his mind. Somehow the swordsman had just ended up in his dreams. They had been swimming together and…Sanji frowned as he tried to remember if anything else had happened. He had been reaching his hand out to Zoro-
"Sanji-kun?" Came a feminine voice at the galley door.
Sanji looked up from the fruit he was cutting into cubes to make a fruit salad - to see the ship's navigator standing in the doorway to the galley, looking unsure of herself. Sanji raised an eyebrow at Nami, surprised that she was up so early. "Nami-swan~ can I help you with something?" Sanji's look was shifting to concern.
Nami nodded and chewed on her lower lip nervously as she entered the galley and took a seat at the table. "Can I speak with you…for a moment?"
Sanji frowned and wiped his hands on a dishtowel before approaching Nami and taking a seat across from her. "Of course, my angel, what is it? What's wrong?"
Nami's eyes burned with guilt at Sanji's kind words. "Sanji…you're such a good person and I…I'm a total bitch."
Sanji's eyes widened and he immediately objected. "No, you're not! You're a sweet, kind, delicate angel~" He cooed.
"Sanji." Nami started firmly. "You're wrong…I…I was so cruel to you before when I told you I was in love with Luffy. I was inconsiderate and I didn't take your feelings for me seriously…I thought you were joking…I didn't mean to hurt you. Zoro and Luffy made me realize that you've always been looking out for me in all our battles…but I didn't realize it until now…"
"Zoro?" Sanji spoke up, "What did he say?"
Nami blinked in surprise that Sanji had switched the topic to Zoro. "Er…just that now that I had rejected you I had better get used to protecting myself because you weren't going to be there like you used to…"
"Zoro said that?" Sanji murmured.
"Zoro also said that your feelings for me were sincere. And that you're in love with me." Nami stated, giving Sanji a piercing look.
"Zoro thinks I'm in love with you?" Sanji asked, frowning unconsciously.
Nami narrowed her eyes at Sanji when she noticed that little frown. "Well, yea, it's true isn't it? You love me, right?"
"I…" Sanji paused and put his hand to his heart. Nami's callous words were no longer causing him pain. Had he already managed to get over her? "I know I used to Nami-swan, but when you rejected me so cruelly I think the feelings of love I had for you disappeared…I no longer love you, Nami-san." Sanji stated firmly. He didn't like the idea of Zoro misunderstanding either…
Nami gasped - but it sounded like two people gasped. Sanji looked towards the galley door to see the swordsman standing in the doorway to the galley. That was odd…Zoro wasn't an early riser either. Had he come specifically to talk to Sanji about something? His heart fluttered at the thought. Stupid body, still acting bizarre around the marimo. "Hey marimo, what's up?" Sanji asked casually.
Zoro stood frozen in the galley looking at Nami. "Is that true…you no longer love Nami?"
"Hey!" Nami objected, for some reason the idea of Sanji not loving her any more…bothered her. It meant that he'd managed to get over her so easily and that stung her pride.
Sanji frowned at Zoro. Why would the marimo care? He nodded. "That's right."
"Then…who do you love now? Robin?" Zoro found himself plowing forward with his blunt questions.
Sanji blushed out of embarrassment. They were talking about his feelings after all. Something that was incredibly personal. "Hah? Why the fuck do you want to know, shitty marimo?! It's none of your business! But…Robin and Franky are going out now so-"
"Robin and Franky are dating?!" Nami screeched. "Since when?!" She demanded to know. She was always the first to know what was going on - on the ship, but now somehow she'd been left out of the loop!
Sanji sighed and rubbed at his temples. "Since…that time when we were all dancing on deck and I…danced with Zoro…" Sanji turned around to hide his blush from the others and tried to get his body under control.
"So you don't love Robin…" Zoro let out a breath of relief. "Then who do you love?"
Sanji sputtered, his face turning red, and turned around to glare daggers at Zoro. "N-No one! My heart is broken right now, marimo. I don't think I'm going to think about falling in love for a while!"
Nami looked pleased with this statement.
Zoro looked oddly disappointed but quickly covered the expression with a stoic mask. "Oh, I see."
Nami frowned as she tapped her fingers on the dining room table - she hated how Sanji and Zoro were ignoring her! Especially Sanji! When had she become yesterday's news! It also stung that things weren't working out very well with Luffy since he was still kind of mad at her for hurting Sanji. Everyone else seemed to be having more luck with love than her. Even Robin and Franky had managed to get together, and now it looked like Sanji and Zoro were falling for each other or something.
Nami found that she didn't like this at all. Even if Sanji and Zoro looked good together…two men being together was just wrong. And if they got together it would also mean that Sanji had chosen Zoro over her, and that was just completely unacceptable. Until things work out with Luffy and I…I don't think Sanji deserves to be happy either. This is all his fault! Nami decided. "I know who Sanji loves." Nami spoke up, a cat's paw smile on her face and a sly glint in her brown eyes.
Zoro and Sanji both turned to look at her quizzically. "Sanji's in love with Captain Kidd." Nami announced with a smug look on her face. I'm such a genius.
Zoro stilled and Sanji sputtered. "W-What? I'm not in love with that bastard!" Sanji immediately objected.
"Oh?" Nami raised an eyebrow at Sanji. "I heard Captain Kidd attacked Zoro and you protected Zoro and fought against Captain Kidd but…after you defeated Kidd you let him go. Luffy wanted to kick Kidd's ass and capture him, but you told Luffy not to pursue Captain Kidd. Why was that, Sanji?"
"Why?" Sanji echoed, beginning to feel nervous.
Zoro narrowed his eyes at Sanji and crossed his arms over his chest. "That's a good question. Why did you let him go, cook?" Does Sanji have feelings for Captain Kidd?
Sanji glowered at Zoro. Why did he spare Captain Kidd? Sanji mused and realized it was because Kidd had claimed that they had been friends for a time back on Momoiro Island…even if that friendship had been broken or betrayed later on. Sanji felt bad he didn't even remember the 'good times'. Kidd was a pervert but…he didn't seem completely evil. Though Sanji couldn't explain why he felt this way….
"It's none of your business, marimo." Sanji declared, as he stood up from the table and went back to the kitchen island to continue chopping his fruit.
"Tch." Zoro grunted and stomped out of the galley in a huff.
Nami smiled to herself, pleased with the results of her meddling. She knew Zoro and Sanji were falling for each other but…she didn't want it to be that easy. Sanji was supposed to have an unrequited love for her, and she didn't like that Sanji was choosing Zoro of all people over her. I'm doing Sanji a favor anyways. A true love has to be able to stand up to certain 'tests'. Let's see how Zoro and Sanji's bond holds up against certain challenges that may end up presenting themselves in the near future. The love between two men is unnatural anyways. Sanji will thank me later if I split them up. Ohhohoho. Nami cackled in her mind. Now matter what I'm the one who's in control of Sanji. Just as it should be. I'll decide who he can love and can't love.
Ten minutes later, Sanji had finished making breakfast. He had also finished making lunch for the crew since he wanted some time alone so that he could study the spell books that Robin-chawn had given him. Sanji called the crew in for breakfast and quickly explained his intentions. "Okay, beautiful ladies and scurvy dogs, listen up. Lunch is in the fridge on wrapped plates with your names on them. Help yourself when you get hungry. If you need me for an emergency I'll be in the Aquarium Room, but I rather not be disturbed until dinner. I plan to study the spell books that the beautiful, wise Robin has given me. I need to learn more spells as this ship's only mage after all." Sanji gathered up the pile of spell books that was sitting on the dinning table and headed to the Aquarium Room with them without looking back.
Sanji entered the Aquarium Room and shut the door behind him. He flipped on a light switch and made his way over to the couch and sat down. "First things first…" Sanji mused as he stroked his smooth chin. "There must be a way to return my goatee back to normal…"
Sanji opened a spell book and began to flip through it. Several hours later, Sanji found the spell he needed. A 'regrow hair spell'. "This should work…" Sanji read the spell over a few times to memorize it. He then picked up a hand mirror and held it up to his face. He touched his index finger to his upper lip and summoned his magic as he said the incantation. "Bragol Alaa. Regrow hair spell!" Sanji chanted and the tip of his finger began to glow with a blue-tinged light. Slowly the hair on his upper lip began to grow - once it got to the same way it had been before the incident, Sanji removed his finger and began to fix the rest of his goatee in the same manner. A few minutes later, Sanji's goatee was back to normal.
He grinned as he ran his hand over his new facial hair. Mr. Prince is back. Prepare to be charmed beautiful ladies and witches of Magick Island~
He felt much more himself. He had also learned several interesting spells…now he just had to decide the best way to use those spells and incorporate them with his fighting style.
Sanji was reading another spell book when there was a sudden commotion up on deck.
He heard a familiar voice call his name:
"Sanji buddy! Where are you?"
Captain Kidd…?!
Five minutes earlier…
Captain Kidd jumped across the span of distance between the deck of his ship and the deck of the Thousand Sunny using his incredible strength. He landed upon the deck with a heavy thud. He held an elaborate bouquet of blue and red roses in his hands. The stems were wrapped with pearls and there were diamonds stuck between the roses' petals that glimmered as they caught the sunlight.
The Straw hats were all caught by surprise by Kidd's sudden appearance on deck and didn't really know how they should react. Especially, with the obvious gift in his hands. Even Luffy wasn't sure if he should be greeting Kidd or kicking his ass, and so stood frozen with indecision.
"Captain Kidd…speak of the devil." Nami smiled to herself. She could use this…whatever happened. Captain Kidd's presence would nicely drive a wedge between Sanji and Zoro. "How nice to see you again, Captain Kidd. Welcome aboard. You're here to see Sanji, I suppose?"
Kidd turned and raised an eyebrow at the navigator and caught her mischievous expression. This girl was up to no good. And Kidd loved it. He smirked as he raised an eyebrow at the navigator. "Indeed, I am. You're a sharp one aren't you?" He said in a lower voice that only Nami could hear.
Nami shrugged and kept smiling. Luffy relaxed as he watched Nami's reactions to Captain Kidd.
Zoro had been training on deck with his massive hundred pound weights when he saw Kidd leap across onto the deck of the Thousand Sunny with a bouquet of shitty roses in his hands. A low growl rumbled in Zoro's throat. He dropped his weights, picked up his swords, stuck them into his haramaki and quickly strode towards Captain Kidd.
"Kidd," Zoro growled, "What the hell are you doing here, you bastard?!" A dark aura began to flare up around the swordsman.
Luffy suddenly tensed again.
Captain Kidd gave Zoro a bored look and looked past Zoro and towards the galley door. "I'm here to see Sanji, of course. "Sanji buddy! Where are you?" Captain Kidd called out loudly and tried to walk past Zoro, but the swordsman stood stubbornly in his path.
Aoi…this is the man I mentioned before. The one I wish to protect Sanji from! Zoro quickly explained to his sword in his mind.
I see. Aoi replied. Shall we kill him then?
Captain Kidd raised an eyebrow at Zoro. "Fool…you would think you would have learned how futile it is for you to stand in my way." Kidd sneered as he pointed his finger at Zoro's swords and waved his finger through the air in a spiraling motion.
Zoro's swords slipped out of their sheaths and positioned themselves at Zoro's neck with lightning speed.
Nami gasped. Luffy tensed and raised his thumb to his mouth wondering if he should get ready for battle.
Kidd smirked. "You can just stay right here while I go say 'hi' to Sanji…" Kidd ordered and began to walk past Zoro.
However-
Aoi can you counter his ability? Zoro asked.
Of course, pirate. Aoi declared. Aoi's blade began to glow with a blue-tinged light and then Kidd's hold was released from Zoro's swords.
Zoro grabbed the hilts of his swords as the katana fell down through the air. He spun and put his swords to Kidd's throat. It all happened in the mere blink of an eye. "I said hold it right there."
Kidd's eyes widened. "What the…?" Kidd waved his hand at Zoro's swords and expected to be able to control them but they were not reacting to his power! Zoro's swords were all bathed in a blue-tinged light. Kidd recognized Shuisui and Wado…but the third sword Zoro now wielded Kidd did not recognize - it was a beautiful blue sword. Kidd's eyes widened with recognition as he realized something. "That sword…that's the sword that was supposed to be at the top of that bloody tower! I was looking for that sword. How did you-?!"
At that moment, however, Sanji burst out of the Aquarium Room, still wearing his glasses. "What's all the commotion?" He stopped in his tracks at the sight of Captain Kidd with a beautiful bouquet of roses in his hands and with Zoro's swords at his throat. There were just too many things wrong with that image. First, he felt panic that Zoro was confronting Captain Kidd again, but apparently Kidd hadn't used his ability to subdue Zoro yet. Though that was only a matter of time. And then what the hell was Kidd even doing there. He really hoped those shitty flowers weren't for him. Sanji decided he'd just ignore that little fact for now. Sanji felt like rubbing his temples - he could feel a headache coming on. First, he had to get Zoro safely out of harm's way. That stupid marimo…
"Captain Kidd…what are you doing here?" Sanji stalked forward and sent a glare Zoro's way. "Zoro - remove your swords from Kidd's throat, idiot moss-brain."
Zoro gave Sanji a look of sheer disbelief and hurt. The cook obviously didn't believe in him. That stung. But Zoro really had no choice but to lower his swords. As much as he just wanted to behead the pirate captain…if the move would anger Sanji he had to hold himself in check. Maybe kill the pirate captain later - in secret…
Kidd grinned widely. "Why I'm here to see you, of course."
Sanji sighed. "Kidd…you should leave." Sanji's gaze flickered nervously to his crew mates that were up on deck.
"I have something important to say." Kidd began to explain.
Sanji tapped his foot impatiently upon the deck. "Well, then spit it out-"
Kidd looked around at the Straw Hats on deck. He raised an eyebrow at Sanji. "You want me to say it here?"
"Yea." Sanji said.
"Okay…I'm here to confess my feelings for you-" Kidd began with a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.
Sanji blushed and Nami and several others gasped. "Ahhh!" Sanji burst out and interrupted Kidd. "Shut up, shitty pirate captain!" He stalked over to Kidd and grabbed the man's hand. "Come with me!" Sanji growled as he began to drag Captain Kidd along with him and off the main deck.
Kidd looked behind him and shot Zoro a haughty look.
Zoro bristled with rage and ground his teeth. How could Sanji just do that…it felt like a betrayal. Fucking cook…what the hell was that?
Sanji dragged Kidd into the Aquarium Room and shut the door closed behind him with his foot. He spun back around to glare at Captain Kidd, hands crossed over his chest. "Kidd…why are you really here? What do you want?"
Kidd looked Sanji over and licked his lips hungrily. "I want you."
Fires ignited in Sanji's eyes and he stalked towards Kidd angrily. He was so pissed. What the hell was it with all these men going hot and heavy for him?! Why couldn't he be pursued by a harem of beautiful ladies? Life was so unfair. "I'm going to fucking kick your ass-"
"Ah!" Kidd put his hands up in a surrendering gesture. "That's not what I meant to say…"
Sanji paused. "Well? I'm listening…"
"I really am here to confess my feelings…Black Leg Sanji." Captain Kidd took a deep breath and steeled himself. "I've fallen in love with you." Kidd said seriously, a slight blush to his cheeks. "Don't expect me to say that again though…asshole…"
Sanji blinked in surprise but his expression quickly shifted to anger. "You expect me to believe that utter bullshit?!"
Kidd flinched. "It's true! When you kicked my ass I realized how fucking amazing you are. I suddenly recognized you as my equal. And there's only one other man who has ever managed to make me acknowledge him. But that bastard betrayed me…" A dark look crossed Kidd's face as he recalled this. He shook his head to clear it of thoughts of his ex-lover. "Anyways, I've realized you're someone who could stand next to me and be by my side in battle…" Kidd began to explain. "I've never done this before…confessed my feelings like this to anyone. It's not something I'd usually do. I'm a pirate and I take what I want but…the things I want seem to be slipping through my fingers lately so I thought I'd try a different approach." Kidd scratched his head awkwardly. "I tried to force love upon someone once before…and it didn't work out. I don't want to screw this up."
Sanji had stopped breathing. This was actually the first time someone had confessed feelings of love for him. The first time someone had said 'I love you'. Even Zeff had never once said 'I love you' to Sanji. Not that he felt unloved by his adoptive father but…sometimes you just want to hear that you're loved, feel that you're loved…
Sanji gasped as he realized he needed to breath. "I still can't believe you…and even if I did believe you…how could I forgive the things you've done?"
Kidd furrowed his brow at Sanji and seemed to get what the cook was referring to a moment later. "Things I've done? They haven't been so horrible…I'll tell you a little secret. Back on Momoiro Island…you know how I said I raped you? That was a lie. I didn't rape you…for all I know you're still a virgin."
Sanji's expression turned dark. "Even if you didn't…I doubt I'm still a virgin."
Kidd raised an eyebrow at Sanji. "Ah, you're talking about the NewKama Ninja aren't you? Well, back on Momoiro Island after you'd escaped them…you told me those NewKama Ninja liked to play around with you but that they didn't actually take you either. They had some sort of plan revolving around Roronoa taking your virginity. But I'm assuming that hasn't happened, right?"
Relief swept through Sanji and he staggered backwards a few steps. I've never been raped? Is that really possible? I thought…the bracelet…why…? Sanji shook his head. "You didn't rape me?" Sanji put a hand to his bracelet unthinkingly.
Kidd could see the obvious relief on Sanji's face and felt a strange feeling. Was this what guilt felt like? Naw. "But I did try…and I'm…" Kidd licked his lips. "Sorry. And that's the first and last time you'll hear the almighty Captain Kidd apologize for anything! Consider yourself very special, Black Leg Sanji…"
Sanji snorted. "Even if I did forgive you…this is all pointless. You're a man - I'm a man." Sanji crossed his arms over his chest with a frustrated huff.
An amused smile spread across Captain Kidd's face. "Still in denial? Trust me that doesn't matter one bit. I happen to know that you find men attractive…so if you can find it in your heart to forgive my past transgressions then that means I have a chance of winning your heart."
Sanji looked horrified by the idea. "You do not…"
"Oh yes I do. I'm Captain Kidd. I happen to know that I'm incredibly handsome…I'll make you fall for me…here hold these flowers I got you." Kidd shoved the bouquet of flowers into Sanji's hands.
Sanji looked down at the blue and red roses in shock. "You really got these shitty flowers for me? But I'm a man, dammit!"
"Blue is your favorite color, right?" Kidd drawled.
"How did you even know that?" Sanji rolled his eyes. This situation was getting weirder by the second!
"You told me back when we were friends on Momoiro Island. The red roses represent me and the blue roses represent you. Do you like them?" Kidd gave Sanji a knowing look. He already knew that the cook liked these sorts of romantic things.
"Of course I don't like your shitty bouquet of roses!" Sanji exclaimed and threw the roses onto the floor. Sanji cringed as the roses hit the floor and a few petals fell off and floated into the air.
Kidd hid a smile behind his hand. He had noticed that cringe. He was managing to get under Sanji's skin. "Now, I'm going to seduce you, Black Leg Sanji…"
Sanji took a step back away from Kidd. "Don't you get anywhere near me, you perverted freak!"
"Oh, don't worry. I don't plan on touching you against your will ever again…" Captain Kidd slipped his long pirate coat off to reveal his tan, muscular chest and nipple piercings. Kidd touched his piercings. "Do you like my nipple rings? They're new."
Sanji blushed as he watched Kidd pinch his own nipples and let out a groan. "O-Of course I don't, you pervert!" Sanji couldn't stop his eyes from roving over Kidd's well-toned body and rock hard abs though. He was attractive. Sanji couldn't really deny this. He swallowed thickly. Well, if he did have a thing for men…apparently he had a thing for bad boys. I did not just think that…I did not just think that.
Captain Kidd sauntered over to the long couch that was in the Aquarium Room and plopped himself down on the couch. Captain Kidd reached for the top button of his pants, undid it, and brought his zipper down before pulling out his erection.
Sanji's eyes bulged and he covered his eyes with his hands. "W-What do you think you're doing, freak?"
"I'm going to masturbate while you watch…" Kidd declared. "There's no harm in just watching, Sanji." Kidd purred in a husky voice.
Sanji risked peeking through his fingers at Kidd. The pirate captain had begun to stroke himself. "I'm not getting anywhere near…that!" Sanji pointed his finger at the pirate's crotch.
Kidd chuckled huskily. "Don't worry. You don't have to touch me…I just have to look at you to be able to get off…" Kidd declared as he looked at Sanji intensely, eyes hooded and burning with lust. He raked his eyes over Sanji's body and stroked himself harder, a blush rising to his own cheeks…
Sanji found that he couldn't look away. This moment was forbidden, intense, and totally wrong on so many levels.
"I've never done this…" Kidd panted. "In front of someone like this before…like a dog in heat…it's embarrassing…" Kidd groaned as his length began to grow. "But it's also really hot…I've never been so hard…look what you do to me Sanji…"
Sanji shuddered at the display - suddenly riveted by the sight of Captain Kidd touching himself. Sanji's temperature began to rise at the sight and heat pooled in his groin. Oh my God, is this sight actually arousing me? The sight of a man is arousing me? What the hell is wrong with my body?! Sanji moaned in his mind in despair.
Kidd never stopped looking at Sanji as he stroked and fisted himself. He increased the speed and pressure and began to thrust into his own hand - his hips rising up off the couch and his back arching. He could feel his climax approaching. "Ah…Sanji…I'm going to…SANJI!" Kidd cried out in pure ecstasy as he came into his hand and onto his abs. Sanji was surprised by how much Kidd released. Kidd panted for breath and looked at Sanji with hooded eyes and licked his lips. "I'm a mess…do you have a napkin or towel or something?"
Sanji took out his handkerchief and threw it at Kidd. "You're disgusting…" Sanji turned around to put his back to Kidd while the pirate cleaned himself up, and to hide his half-hard state.
Kidd grinned as he used Sanji's handkerchief to clean himself up. It was just as he suspected…he could affect Black Leg Sanji by using his sex appeal and good looks. Which meant it might not be that hard to seduce Sanji if he gained the cook's trust. Captain Kidd stood up to leave. "I'll come again, Sanji…until the next time…think of this moment as you masturbate." Kidd chuckled evilly as he put his jacket back on. He pocketed the handkerchief while Sanji watched him do it and left the Aquarium Room looking refreshed and with a spring in his step.
That bastard…just stole my handkerchief! Sanji sighed heavily and walked over to the fallen bouquet. He picked up one of the blue roses. It had a string of pearls wrapped around its stem and diamonds tucked between its petals. It was exquisite. The diamonds looks real too. It was also the first 'romantic' gift Sanji had ever received from anyone…
And the first time someone said 'I love you'.
Sanji touched the blue petals thoughtfully. Was it so wrong to be slightly touched by Kidd's unexpected kindness?
Meanwhile…
Kidd walked back out onto the deck and passed a pissed off looking Zoro. Kidd just smirked at Zoro and cackled. He knew the swordsman liked the cook but he was too much of a pussy to make an aggressive move like he had just done. "The cook and I had a lot of fun catching up." Kidd licked his lips suggestively. "Toodles, Roronoa Zoro." Kidd waved with his hand as he ran across the deck and leapt back to his own ship's deck before Zoro could decide whether or not he should just kill the pirate captain and be done with it.
I so want to kill him. I want to kill him. I want to kill him. Zoro said in his mind.
Patience. We must wait and see if that would anger Sanji. The last thing you want to do is push Sanji away. Aoi warned. You're making such progress…
What progress? We haven't even kissed. Besides, the cook is doing a good job of pushing himself away from me. Ero-cook. I wonder just what kind of fun he had with that handsome Captain Kidd…fuck…! Zoro made his way quickly to the Aquarium Room and entered without knocking just in time to see Sanji holding a blue rose with this strange look on his face. Zoro frowned and cleared his throat. "Ahem."
Sanji spun around and faced Zoro while looking guilty.
"You like his gift?" Zoro accused.
Sanji flinched and then he narrowed his eyes angrily at Zoro. "Of course I don't, shitty swordsman!" He tossed the rose onto the floor and stomped on it, but as he did so he winced. It was such a beautiful rose after all…it was exactly the kind of thing he would have done for Nami-swan. Pick out a beautiful bouquet of roses for her, and confess his undying love. It would have been a beautiful, pink, romantic moment. A moment worthy of the Love Cook.
Zoro noticed the wince. "You don't have to pretend not to like his gift on my account. Why don't you put them in a vase of water if you like them so much?!"
"Hah? Marimo…I don't like the roses….you don't understand I…" How could Sanji tell Zoro something as pathetic that no one had ever said that they loved him before and it had caught him by surprise. And how no one had ever given him a romantic gift before. He was the Love Cook. He was supposed to have all of this romantic experience. But in reality his experience with real love was nil. Sanji had always been in love with the idea of love. He craved love with all his heart and soul. He was so lonely…vulnerable…he was tired of being unloved…
Sanji hung his head as his eyes burned. He remained silent.
Zoro's expression darkened. He took the cook's silence as admittance. "You don't owe me any kind of explanation. You're not going out with me or anything. We're just friends, remember? What you and Kidd do in your spare time is none of my business, ero-cook! I thought you'd have better taste that than though…" Zoro grumbled the last part more to himself as he spun around and began to stomp away from Sanji.
Sanji looked up at Zoro, eyes wide and expression conflicted. He wanted to run after the swordsman. "Zoro!" To explain that he was wrong. Sanji reached his hand out towards Zoro as he opened the door and slammed it behind him without looking back. "Zoro…don't go…" Sanji sunk to his knees in despair as he felt a stab of pain in his chest. Sanji put a hand over his heart. What the hell is wrong with me…why does it hurt so much…?
TBC….!
AN: SPOILERS: There, I finally had a scene including Kidd again! And yes I'm going to spell it like that now, it looks better. Even though on the One Piece wiki his name only had done 'd' but whatever. It's hard controlling the entire Straw Hat crew and it usually ends up making my planned scenes much longer than I anticipate so my guess on when things will happen seems to be off lol. I'm pretty sure Law will make an appearance in the next chapter but I better not promise anything. I bet you guys can guess where I'm going with this…better watch out Sanji…I think Law might be jealous. Please review! Reviews make my day. Oh, is anyone good at writing songs? I wanted to write the song Sanji sings here…but I have no musical talent lol. I might think of something though. We shall see. Also, I tried to redeem Nami but…she ended up being a biatch again! Oh well…sorry!