Ch 28 - Mornings
After a couple days out at sea, the Straw Hats had gotten themselves very comfortable in their new home, including Franky, who built a corner bed for himself in Usopp's workshop. No one seemed to mind that Nana and Franky got their own room as the rest of the Straw Hats preferred to sleep above deck and secretly the men were worried that the hanging beds would not be able to support the cyborg's weight.
Still, Nana felt a little guilty for having her own private space. To make up for it, Nana made a metal watering can for Robin to use in her garden and built Nami a pocket telescope so she could look further into the horizon.
It turned out it was a good thing for Nana to sleep separately from the other women as her sleep schedule was very erratic and second only to her captain. Depending on what she wanted to build or create, she would sometimes work well into the night. She wouldn't get to bed until the morning and she wouldn't wake up until noon. On the other hand, sometimes it would be the exact opposite. She would go to bed early and then start working at the crack of dawn.
It put the cook in somewhat of a bind as he wasn't sure whether to count her in for breakfast. He knew that even if she didn't show up, Luffy would happily take her share so he decided just to err on the side of caution and have a serving for her ready. Until the day that he found her in his kitchen at five o'clock, blinking groggily at his cabinets, which were flung wide open.
"Nana-chan!" he cried, causing her to jump in surprise, "Good morning, my beautiful angel!"
She turned towards him and pointed an accusing finger at the opened shelves. "Where do you keep the tea?" she demanded.
So the angel isn't a morning person.
The sappy grin on Sanji's face did not falter. He brushed past the grumpy angel. "Black or green?"
"Black." Her harsh and clipped tone sounded more like a gunshot than a human voice.
"How strong?"
"Very."
"I could make you coffee instead if you want something that will help wake you up?"
"Did I ask for coffee?" Nana shot back.
Sanji nodded dutifully and took out a jar filled with loose black tea leaves. He set it on the counter and proceeded to fill up a tea kettle with water. "What would you like for breakfast? I can make you some sweet pancakes to go with your tea?"
Nana rubbed her tired eyes and shook her head. "No, I'll just have an apple or something."
"That is not enough for breakfast."
Nana scowled over at Sanji. "I'd prefer to eat something I wouldn't need utensils for...Something I can eat with one hand so I can work with the other."
Sanji nodded as he pulled out a tea strainer and a teapot from the shelves. "I can make you something, Nana-chan. Did you just wake up?"
Nana let out a tired sigh. "How can I wake up if I've never been asleep."
Sanji almost dropped the glass teapot. He gaped at the angel. He noticed the dark bags that were starting to appear under her eyes and her usually lightly tanned skin was paler by a couple of shades for being on the lower decks so much. "You haven't slept yet?!"
Nana dragged herself around the counter and took a seat on the stool, facing the kitchen. She buried her head in her hands. "I can't sleep right now. I think I found a way to stabilize the magnetic field and set a limitation cap on it so that the...Ugh. You don't want to hear all of this, do you?"
The kettle whistled and Sanji turned to take the water off the heat. "Nana-chan, you can talk to me about anything but you need to get some sleep," he insisted, "Not just for your health but so that you are alert in case anything happens. You are on a pirate ship after all."
Nana stiffened and she looked up at Sanji, who was lighting his first cigarette of the day. She watched silently as he filled the teapot half with water, swirled around the hot water until the pot was heated, and then dumped the water into the sink. He fitted the strainer to the top of the teapot.
"I didn't even think about that…and...why did you dump out the water?"
He began to pour the water through the strainer. "You have to warm the vessel in order to get the optimum flavor of the leaves, Nana-chan," Sanji answered, "And of course you didn't think about it. It's understandable. This is your first week as a pirate. It takes some getting used to."
"Shit," Nana muttered, "Good thing nothing has happened these last couple of days or else I'd totally be useless and-"
"No need to beat yourself up over something that hasn't happened," Sanji assured her. As the tea steeped, he walked over to the pantry and grabbed a couple of glass jars and produce, "I didn't say it to admonish you either. I am saying it because I genuinely care."
"Should I develop a sleep schedule like you guys then?" Nana muttered, "I don't think I can run on minimal sleep like Zoro and get by with power naps."
Sanji raised an eyebrow at her while mixing some flour, eggs, and water into a bowl. "Don't model your life after that shitty morimo. And you don't have to adopt a sleep schedule. Our own captain doesn't. You just need to make sure you're getting sleep in general."
Nana nodded as she leaned her chin against the palm of her hand and watched the chef work. He put in so much thought to every step, even when making something as simple as tea. She watched him expertly dice an array of produce. His knife tapped rhythmically along the cutting board as his motions began to move into a graceful blur.
"Your knife skills are amazing," Nana murmured, "I'm surprised you don't fight with them."
"A cook's hands are his life, Nana-chan," Sanji replied without looking up from his cutting board, "I can't afford to damage them."
Nana yawned. "That makes sense," she said sleepily. Sanji put down his knife and poured her tea into the nearest mug that happened to have "Kiss the Cook, Kick the Morimo" scrawled at the front of it.
Nana snorted. "Nice mug."
Sanji looked at the writing and he smiled. "Oh yeah. I forgot about this one. Usopp and Chopper came across this shop that you can personalize your own mugs. They made everyone mugs. The shitty morimo's says "Please keep me clean, a scratch on the back is a mug's shame."
Nana laughed. "All Usopp-sama's idea, isn't it?"
Sanji nodded and handed her the mug. "Why do you call him Usopp-sama?"
Nana shrugged as she took a big gulp. "Ah, that's good," she sighed with content and then glanced up at the cook as he returned to his cooking, "It was just a silly bet at first but...the man deserves respect, don't you think? He's smart, loyal..."
Then she smirked against her cup as she took another sip. "And he's got a girl to go back to."
"Oh, you mean Kaya-chan?" Sanji said with a grin, "He told you about her too?"
"I asked him about the Merry and everything just came out," Nana replied, "It's sweet, don't you think? Having someone waiting for you at home?"
"You have people waiting for you," Sanji pointed out.
Nana almost snorted out the tea through her nose. "Yeah. A bunch of middle aged bachelors. Lucky me."
"But what about all the fan letters and love notes that Franky said you get?" Sanji asked in surprise.
Nana waved off his comment. "Those can't be taken seriously. Those are just letters of admiration. Besides, I don't have time for love. I've got more important shit to deal with."
"Love is important, Nana-chan," Sanji replied. He presented her with a crepe that had a napkin folded neatly at the bottom of it so that she could hold it with one hand, "Just as important as food and sleep."
"Whatever you say, Prince Charming," she said with a roll of her eyes as she bit into the crepe. She smirked as she chewed, "Delicious, as usual."
She jumped off the stool and made her way to the door with her mug of tea in one hand and the crepe in another. "I'm the type of person who doesn't really think about food or sleep. What makes you think I think about love?" she asked rhetorically as the door swung shut behind her.
Sanji leaned his elbow on the counter and rested his chin in his palm. His eyes were fixed on the closed door, "It will be my honor to watch over all those things for you then."
Under the watchful eye of the cook, it took about a couple more days for Nana to set somewhat of a schedule for herself. She began to sleep no later than 1 AM, mostly because before Sanji went to bed he would come down to check on her. When she slept before 11 PM, she would wake up in time to join Sanji in the kitchen. He would always prepare a hand-held breakfast and a cup of tea for her during those times. She enjoyed watching him cook on those quiet mornings when no one else was up.
Other times when she slept in, she would wake up just in time to eat breakfast with the rest of her nakama. They were all crowded around the dining table and in the middle of stuffing their faces with the delicious breakfast that Sanji had prepared when the mechanic made an announcement.
"Okay, you guys," she said with a grin, "Now that we have some time before we get to the next island and the weather seems to be good…"
She looked over at Nami for confirmation and the navigator gave her a thumbs up sign.
"There's one more thing I need to calibrate," Nana continued, "And I'm going to need everyone to participate in this one."
"Woo, what is it?" Luffy asked excitedly.
Usopp leaned over the table so he could get closer to Nana. "A cannon? Are you shooting a new cannon?"
Nana winked at him. "Finish up your breakfast and then meet me out at the deck to find out, Usopp-sama."
The cook watched as the angel ate the last bites of her plate and then waited for her dog to finish eating his before taking both to the kitchen sink. She dropped the plates into the soapy water and looked over at him. "I'll need your help too, Sanji, so can you come and then I can help you with clean-up later?"
"Nana-chwan!" Sanji swooned as he came up to her and clasped her hands in his, "I will do whatever it is you ask me. No need for your beautiful hands to touch these dirty dishes."
"Don't bother offering," Nami said with a smirk as she got up from the table and Nana withdrew her hands from Sanji's clutches, "Robin and I have never touched a dirty dish as long as Sanji-kun was in the kitchen."
"Lucky," both Usopp and Chopper huffed under their breaths.
"Of course, Nami-swan," Sanji sang. He twirled to the navigator, kicking both Usopp and Chopper as he passed by, and wriggled in front of Nami, "I am a slave to love and will do what I can for my mellorines! I will willingly give up my life for you."
"Yes, yes," Nami said, waving him away as she walked out of the kitchen, "I know."
Nana laughed and looked over at Robin. "What a dutiful servant Nami has."
Robin chuckled, "I believe Cook-san's services is also extended to us, Weaponsmith."
Nana snorted as she headed out to the deck with Pygmy trotting behind her. "No one is giving up their lives for me. I can take care of myself."
She marched to the center of the deck and motioned Pygmy to sit in front of her as the Straw Hats circled around her. "Okay, everyone, get ready for the calibration. It might be a little uncomfortable but you guys need to promise me you'll stick to it?"
The Straw Hats all gulped and nodded their heads.
"Good. If you don't, Nami, is it okay if I fine them 10,000 bellis if they don't participate?" Nana asked.
Nami laughed. "By all means."
"Everyone is going to participate," Luffy shouted with conviction, "That is my captain's orders!' He raced over and started to jump around Nana, looking at her from every angle. "Where's the weapon? Is it small? Is it in your pocket? Is it a new waterboard? Where is it? Where?"
Thwack!
Nami punched Luffy hard on the head and dragged him back into the circle, "Have more patience, damn it! Nana's about to tell us."
Nana folded her arms across her chest. "Actually, I won't be the one doing the talking," she said as she tilted her head towards Pygmy.
The Straw Hats blinked at the dog, who barked and wagged his tail. Chopper's eyes widened.
"You? Are you a weapon?" the reindeer gasped.
"REALLY?!" the Straw Hats cried.
Franky lifted his sunglasses over his eyes and stared suspiciously at the dog. Then he moved his attention to the navigator. "Ow, Nana-brat. I don't remember you doing any modifications-"
Nana squatted down and scratched Pygmy behind the ears. "I didn't. This calibration is 100% natural and not at all mechanical."
Pygmy sniffed the air and barked again.
"He said he needs to familiarize himself with everyone's scent," Chopper translated.
Nana nodded. "That's right. Pygmy has a great nose. He once was able to track me even after an Aqua Laguna had swept through the city and washed most scents away."
"Amazing!" Chopper breathed, "My nose isn't that sensitive."
Pygmy barked and Chopper squealed. "Ah, saying something like that won't make me happy, you jerk!"
Nana raised an eyebrow, "What did he say?"
"He said, 'My tracking skills are not as important as your healing skills.'"
Nana laughed and stood back up. "Okay, so are you guys ready? Pygmy's going to sniff you guys and you should all just stand really still so he can remember your scents."
"Yosh," the Straw Hats said.
"Okay, Pygmy, go," Nana instructed.
The large dog leapt forward towards Luffy and stuck his nose right in the rubber man's crotch.
"AHHHHHHH! Pygmy, where are you sniffing?!" the Straw Hats, except Franky and Nana, exclaimed in horror.
"Pygmy, what the hell? Don't get so close to my family jewels like that," Luffy protested as he tried to push the dog away.
"No, Luffy, leave him," Nana insisted, "That's how Pygmy is able to track a scent."
"What?!" the Straw Hats gasped and Nana looked to Chopper for help.
The doctor nodded defeatedly. "Yes. There's a special kind of gland in that area for animals that produce a special scent. Pygmy's trying to find that scent, which has our pheromones in it."
"B-B-But we're not animals!" the Straw Hats protested.
"We're all the same to Pygmy," Nana said with a shrug, "Just let him do his job."
This is called a job?!, the Straw Hats all thought and then watched as the dog moved to sniff Luffy from behind. That thorough?!
Everyone felt a sweat drop down their own heads as Pygmy finished up with Luffy and looked around to find the next participant. It was Zoro.
"Nana! I don't need your dog to track me-" Zoro started to growl as he took a step back but he was stopped by a sudden rubber man's arms that wrapped around his midsection, pinning his arms to the side and holding him in place, "Oy! Luffy!"
"We already promised Nana we wouldn't back out," Luffy said sternly, "Now be a man, Zoro!"
"Be a man?!" Zoro yelled exasperatedly just as Pygmy stuck his nose right where his legs connected to his lower body, "GAH! Pygmy! Go away! Nana! What kind of pervert dog do you have?!"
Nana looked over at Franky and then shrugged. "I'm destined to be surrounded by perverts. What can I say?"
Franky grinned as Pygmy moved on to Nami.
"Wait! Nana!" Nami shrieked.
"Ah! Nami-swan, I will save your honor-" Sanji started to cry as he ran to the navigator.
"10,000 bellis...Nami," Nana remarked and Nami immediately snapped to attention. She shoved the cook out of the way.
"Fine!" she seethed as Pygmy moved to the back.
When it got to Robin's turn she smoothly crossed her arms and formed a tight knit fence of legs around her, blocking the other Straw Hats from view.
"Oooh, how refined," Nana couldn't help but whistle.
By the time Pygmy finished his rounds, all the Straw Hats were glaring at the dog, who sat back down on the grass, by Nana's feet.
"Okay now that's over…" Nana said, "We begin-"
"There's more?!" they demanded.
"Well, we have to test if Pygmy can actually differentiate our scents," Nana argued, "It's just a game of hide and seek. You guys don't want to play?"
Luffy pumped his fist in the air. "Oh! A game! Winner gets all the meat for dinner. Loser gets nothing!"
His suggestion was met with Sanji's kick to the head. "Why are you making up weird rules to this game?" the cook cried. Then he looked over at Nana, 'What are the rules, Nana-chan?"
"Actually, I was thinking, if you are able to successfully avoid Pygmy, I'd make something for you," Nana said with a grin.
"Ooh! A large slingshot!" Usopp shouted.
"A new katana," Zoro grinned.
"A giant fishing pole to catch Sea Kings!" Luffy cheered.
Nana laughed and began to explain the rules, "Pygmy and I will stay here while everyone hides. I'll count to 100 and then I'll have Pygmy go find you one by one, in a specific order to see if he can differentiate our scents. I'll go with him and when he barks, it means he's within a half meter from you. If that proves to be true, then you're considered 'found'."
"Do we have to hide by ourselves?" Chopper asked.
Nana shook her head, "No. If you hide with other people that's fine. I want to see any type of situation that might deter Pygmy from tracking your scent. You can close the door behind you but obviously don't lock it because that would just be cheating. Oh! The only thing off limits is hiding in the aquarium. Obviously if you're in the water, he won't be able to follow you. That means no hiding in a bathtub either or immersing yourself in one of the docks in our docking system."
Robin smiled. "Sounds like fun."
"No hiding in the girls' quarters!" Nami immediately shouted and gave a pointed look at Sanji, "I don't want anyone rifling through me and Robin's stuff."
A look of disappointment fell over the cook's face. Nana laughed. "My room is off limits too. There's stuff in there that can be dangerous if not handled properly. Don't want you guys to accidentally shoot your brains out or cause an explosion."
"What the hell do you keep in your room?!" Usopp demanded.
"Not Nana-chwan's room too," Sanji moaned.
Nana rolled her eyes at the cook and then turned to Franky. "You hide too. I know Pygmy already has your scent but you might as well join in on the game."
"Yosh!" Luffy shouted as he ran up the stairs. "Let's go! Nana, start counting!"
"Ah! So cheap, Luffy!" Chopper and Usopp cried as they ran after him, "You're trying to get to a good hiding place first."
