Cooks
Cade hummed as Luffy and Usopp fiddled with one of the ship's cannons. Luffy shot once and completely missed the rock he had targeted. Usopp then took over, made adjustments, fired, and blew the rock into pieces.
"Sniper. Artist. Is there anything he can't do?" She lifted her eyes to their Jolly Roger. Usopp had painted it a few days ago after Luffy painted a horrible one. Their Jolly Roger was a straw hat on the skull and cross bone. Fitting for them to become the Straw Hat pirates since their captain wore a straw hat. She wondered what Shanks and his crew would think about it.
It didn't take them long at all to settle in to their new home. There was plenty of space for their small crew, with room to add more members. There were two bedrooms. One for the men and one for the women. But Cade decided not to sleep in the same room with Nami. They didn't get along and probably never would. So she decided to turn the storage and cannon room into her own. It gave her space to put her sewing. And allowed her to keep an eye on some of their food so Luffy wouldn't eat it all.
"Hey! We need to have a meeting!" Nami called from the kitchen doorway.
Cade jumped to the deck then up to the next level.
"I've decided you can be our sniper," Luffy said as they entered the kitchen.
Cade sat beside her brother, keeping him between her and Usopp. While the sniper had finally stop calling her a monster she still got the impression she scared him a bit still.
"All right, I guess I can settle for that for the time being. But if you ever chicken out from you duties, I'll take charge as the ship's captain," Usopp said.
"You can't be serious." Cade rested her elbow on the table and her head in her hand, peering at him from around her brother. "You know I'm the first mate. So if anything happens to Luffy I'll be the captain."
"Come on!" Usopp whined. "I'll be a good captain!"
"Keep enjoying your fantasies." Cade waved at him.
"Hey, I just had an idea!" Luffy crowed. "There's still one crucial position of a pirate crew we need to fill before entering the Grand Line."
"That's right. We do have this fantastic kitchen after all. Of course, I could do it as long as I get paid," Nami said.
"Not going to happen," Cade said. "I'll do the cooking."
"What's wrong with me doing it?" Nami challenged.
"You want to get paid. You have no right to try and drain us of money." Cade twisted a curl. "Do you really think we'll ever have enough money to pay you for three meals a day? I'm doing it. End of story."
"Cade's a great cook!" Luffy slipped his arm around her shoulders.
"Then why can you be the cook full time?" Zoro asked.
"Because I'm not a chief. I'm use to dragging or finding whatever we can out of a jungle." Cade exchanged looks with Luffy. "I don't think we've had a real balanced meal since Grandpa threw us into the jungle. We have to be careful with food on the sea. Well, you humans do anyway. It's different for us fishmen. We can survive on whatever the ocean provides us."
"Yeah, I get you. An indispensable crew member for long voyages." Zoro nodded.
"You think so, too, right? Yup, what a pirate ship crew really needs is a musician!" Luffy said.
Cade laughed.
"Are you retarded?! Did you even hear a word Cade just said?!" Usopp asked.
"And here I thought you were going to say something smart for the first time in your life." Zoro sighed.
Do you have any idea what sailing on the seas is like?!" Nami slammed her hands on the table.
"But a pirate's got to sing!" Luffy said.
"Come on out, you blasted pirates! I'm going to slaughter all of you!" a voice came from the deck. It was followed by a crash.
Luffy rushed outside. "Hey! Just who do you think are?!"
Cade followed him to find a black haired man with sunglasses going on a mini rampage on the ship.
"Who am I? I should be asking who you think you are!" the man swung his sword at Luffy. "I've killed countless of infamous pirates and yet a nameless person like you dares to try and kill me and my partner?!"
Luffy grabbed the man's head and slammed him onto the deck. "Don't wreck my ship!"
"Ugh. A-almost had him."
"Almost? What fight were you in?" Cade leaned over the man and eyed his face tattoo.
"Ack! Monster!"
Cade slammed her foot on the man's face. Her eyebrow twitched. "What is wrong with you humans?!"
"Just what the heck are you shouting about anyway?" Luffy asked.
"Johnny?"
"Z-Zuru?! I's hat 'ou, bro?!" Johnny mumbled from under Cade's foot.
"You know him?" Cade looked up at the swordsman.
"Yeah. You can let him go." Zoro nodded.
Cade removed her foot.
"Where's Yosaku? Isn't he usually with you?" Zoro jumped between the broken railing and landed on the deck with a thud.
"H-he's... sick!" Johnny ran to the side of the ship, disappearing over the side. A moment later he came back up, pulling an unconscious man on board. Zoro and Usopp rushed over to help. They laid the man on the deck. "It happened a few days ago. All of a sudden he turned pale and kept passing out. I don't know what-"
"Scurvy." Cade knelt beside the sick man. She eyed his scaly, dry brown skin before pulling his chin down to look at his gums. As she had expected they were swollen, spongy, and purple. Bleeding in a few places too. "Luffy. Usopp. There are limes in the kitchen. We need to get the juice into him."
"Right!" Luffy and Usopp ran off then returned, each carrying a small crate of the fruit. Grabbing a lime they squeezed them over the man's mouth.
"That was a quick diagnosis." Johnny looked at her. "You a doctor?"
"No, but I know what it is. He caught this because of a lack of nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. He'll be fine soon," Cade said.
"Thank you, big sis. Thank you so much!" Johnny cried.
"Don't call me that. I'm not your sister." Cade stood with an annoyed glare.
Yosaku suddenly jumped up."All right! I'm charged up now!" He and Johnny linked arms and danced around.
"No way he can recover that fast!" Nami snapped.
"Sorry for the late introductions. The name's Johnny."
"And I am Yosaku. Zoro used to bounty hunt with us in the past. Nice to meet you all. I don't know how to thank you. I thought I bit the dirt for sure." The two men stuck a similar pose with one arm under the other while touching their chins.
"Well, color me surprised. I never would have expected the infamous pirate hunter Zoro to become a pirate," Johnny said.
Yosaku collapsed.
"Let this be a lesson to the rest of you," Nami said.
"These are the kinds of dangers we'll have to face on long voyages," Zoro said.
"He would have died for sure if he hadn't come across us." Usopp leaned against the mast. "We definitely need someone to think about our diet to see to it that we stay healthy. Cade is right. What we need is a chef of the sea."
"If you think about it, that's one of the most important talents to have when you're out at sea." Nami crossed her arms.
"All right, I've decided then! Let's go look for a sea cook! Eating good food is never a bad thing!" Luffy said.
"Bro!"
"What is it, Johnny?" Zoro asked.
"If you're looking for a cook, I know just the place," Johnny said. "Of course getting one to join you is another matter all together."
"A restaurant on the seas?!" Luffy grinned.
"That's right. You should be able to reach it from here in two or three days. But that place is close to the Grand Line so you got to be careful," Johnny said. "Lot of dangerous guys around those parts. Even that Hawkeye man you've been looking for has been sighted there once before. If it's all right, I'll lead the way."
...
"We've arrived at the restaurant! Brother Zoro! Brother Luffy! Brother Usopp! Big Sis Nami! Big Sis Cade!" Johnny said.
"I told you not to call me that," Cade said looking at the fish shaped boat they were gliding towards. The word "Baratie" was painted in large letters. Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She looked down to a marine ship sailing up beside them. As a man stepped out on the deck she pulled her hood over her head and listened to the ruckus below.
Johnny and Yosaku attack the marine but they were defeated easily. She continued to watch the marine until a lady came out on the deck. Cade jumped from the mast. Her eyes land on Nami. The navigator was kneeling down ,holding a wanted poster. Glancing over Nami's shoulder she noticed the pirate was a fishman. Arlong? The poster crinkled in Nami's hands, her shoulders trembled. "Hm?"
"Hey! We're in trouble!" Usopp said. "That guy's aiming his cannon at us!"
Boom!
"He fired!" Usopp shrieked.
"Must you point out the obvious?" Cade asked as Luffy jumped into action. Stretching he caught the cannon ball then sent it sailing. Right towards the restaurant, crashing into its roof.
"Luffy! Where were you aiming?!" Usopp shrieked.
"Sorry!" Luffy fell onto the deck then shot himself over to the restaurant as the navy ship continued on without another glance in their direction.
"I can already tell this isn't going to be good." Cade crossed her arms over the railing and waited to hear how much trouble her brother got himself in.
"How long is he going to be in there?" Usopp asked a few minutes later.
"Maybe we should go check on him," Zoro suggested.
"Probably a good idea." The two guys headed for the edge of the ship. Usopp turned back to Cade. "You coming?"
Cade hummed. "I don't think so. Too many people. And with the navy still here I don't want to risk them demanding me to take my cloak off."
"Okay then." Usopp followed after Zoro and Nami.
Cade watched them enter the restaurant before heading to her room to get her sewing. With it in hand she settled down under the mast and continued working on a vest for Luffy.
"You can sew?" Johnny asked.
Cade jumped having forgotten he and his friend remained on the ship. "Uh yeah. I learned when I was a kid. It's a useful skill to have."
"I guess it is," Johnny said.
"Aren't you going to go get something to eat?" Cade asked.
"No. Yosaku is still feeling a bit weak. Zoro said he'll bring us something back."
Cade followed Johnny's eyes to his friend. Yosaku was sitting against the ship wall with his eyes closed. It's amazing he's been up at all considering how close to death he was. She refocused on her sewing.
...
"He's such an idiot."
Cade lifted her eyes at the sound of Zoro's voice.
"Can't argue with that." Usopp nodded.
"What are we going to do? We can't stay here for that long," Nami said.
"What's up?" Cade asked.
"Because of the damage Luffy did to that ship he has to stay for a whole year to pay for it," Usopp said.
"A whole year? That's not possible. Luffy won't stay that long," Cade said.
"What choice does he have?" Nami asked.
"Trust me." Cade smiled. "Luffy's not fit to work in a restaurant. He'll do more harm than good. It's only a matter of time before we take off again. Oh yeah." Setting down her sewing she grabbed her measuring tape, pencil, and notepad then stood up. "I need your measurements."
"Measurements?" Usopp asked.
Cade nodded. "I already have Zoro's and Luffy's."
"Why?" Usopp lifted an eyebrow. "We can buy new clothes if needed."
"We might not have enough money for that. Sometimes it's easier to find fabrics on sale than clothes." Cade pushed Usopp's arms up like a scarecrow and spread the measuring tape over him. His body tensed at her closeness. "Besides you might not find clothing that will benefit you in battles."
"That's true. I guess." Usopp relaxed as Cade continued to measure every inch of him.
"You're so skinny," Cade said.
Zoro laughed.
"Hey! I'm not that skinny! My clothes are just big! I like them loose!"
"There. That's it. I've got all I need. If there's anything you need me to sew for you don't hesitate to asked." Cade slapped her notebook closed.
"Okay. Thanks," Usopp said. "Hey, Nami, are you going to get your measurements taken?"
"No, thanks. I'm not interested." Nami turned from them.
"She just doesn't want to get close to Cade." Zoro sat down against the ship and put his hands behind his head. "I'm sure you've noticed they don't get along."
Usopp nodded.
"Why?" Yosaku asked.
"She hates fishmen," Cade said.
"I do not! I hate pirates!" Nami growled.
"Keep telling yourself that." Cade waved dismissively at the navigator then went back to her sewing.
"You making that for Luffy?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah." Cade nodded. "He can tear up a shirt within seconds. It's good to have more on hand. Besides it keeps me busing during lulls."
"Good idea. Glad I packed some of my own tools to tinker with."
Cade glanced up at the sniper. "Tools?"
"I'm more than a pirate captain and a great sniper." Usopp pulled out his slingshot. "I made this myself. And I can make any kind of weapon you want."
"Really?"
"Yup!" Usopp nodded and jutted his thumb at himself. "So if you need any weapon I've got you covered."
"Thanks, but I doubt it. I prefer to fight with my fists and my water." Cade poked her needle through the fabric. "I do have a dagger. But I don't like to use it."
"Sounds like it's important to you."
"It is."
...
The orange sunset had faded to deep blues when Luffy finally appeared at the ship. With his arms drooping he stumbled his way over to Cade and fell face first onto the deck. "That totally sucked. I'm exhausted."
Cade patted his head. "Well, maybe you'll learn from this and think before you fire so randomly."
Luffy grumbled. "I need food! Cade! Dinner!"
"Fine." Cade placed her sewing down and headed for the kitchen. She paused for a moment when Luffy's hand landed on her shoulder. With a snap, he landed on her back. She hooked her arms around his knees. "You are so pathetic."
Luffy's stomach released a loud growl. "Food."
Cade entered the kitchen and placed Luffy at the table. He slumped on to it. She gathered up some apples, crackers, and cheese and placed them in front of him. "Start with this. I'll have the main course done soon."
"Yes!" Luffy started shoving the food in.
"How can you be so hungry when you stole so much food while you were working?" Usopp said as he and the others entered the room.
"Luffy's always hungry." Cade placed a pan on the stove.
"How are we ever going to keep food around?" Usopp asked.
"Cade fishes for us when we really need food," Zoro said.
"Oh?" Usopp looked at the swordsman.
"She did it for us before you and Nami joined. She has a higher chance of getting something when fish aren't biting," Zoro said.
"That make sense when she can breath underwater and has such strength." Usopp looked back at Cade. "By the way, how strong are you?"
"Well, by human measures I'm stronger than you'll ever be." Cade paused then added, "By fishmen measures I'm probably somewhere in the middle. I know there are some weaker and stronger than I am. Though I don't know by how much since I haven't seen any fishmen since I was kid."
"Do you think we'll meet any fishmen?" Usopp asked.
"Not likely here in the East Blue. But we will eventually run into some when we sail the Grand Line. That's were fishmen are from. They live on an island called Fishman Island. It's actually under the sea." Cade faced them. "My mother told me that relationships between fishmen and humans have been a stormy one. So if we do meet fishmen they most likely won't like you all and will probably try and kill you."
"K-kill us?!" Usopp shrieked. "And we're going to the place where they live?!"
"It's going to be so much fun!" Luffy grinned.
"How can you be so happy about that?! They're monsters!" Usopp gasped, his skin turning blue. "S-sorry, Cade. I didn't mean..."
Cade waved her hand and stepped over to the fridge. "Don't worry about it this time. There are some fishmen who are monsters. They'll kill humans for no reason at all." Pulling items from the fridge she grabbed some noodles from the cabinet and started working.
"You've been quiet, Nami. What's up?" Usopp asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking. How much longer are we going to stay here?" she asked.
"Can't leave until Luffy says so." Zoro put his hands behind his head.
"There's the whole working for the cook thing too. I guess we could just run away," Usopp said.
"I doubt that guy will let us." Nami sighed.
"It'll be fine." Luffy's grin brightened. "Cade, you should come inside the restaurant and meet him. Sanji's great!"
"I'll meet him when he comes on the ship."
...
The next day was the same as the past three. Luffy spent his time in the restaurant working as a chore boy while the rest of the crew bounced between there and the ship.
Cade sighed as she heard another crash from the restaurant.
"There goes another dozen plates or something," Usopp mumbled from his tinkering.
Cade glanced at the sniper, wondering what he was making, before looking around the ship. Johnny and Yosaku were near a sleeping Zoro playing with cards. Nami was no where to be seen.
"Might as well get some swimming in since there's nothing else to do." Cade stepped up on the railing and dove into the cool liquid.
Cade stroked through the water, watching fish and other sea life as it swam by her.
Getting lost in the underwater world she had no idea how much time passed.
She rolled onto her back and started to head back to the surface to check on things. But the ship sailing away from the restaurant.
She knitted her brow.
Something wasn't right. Luffy had too much time to serve at this restaurant for them to leave yet. And he never would have taken off without her. She headed up to see what was going on. Shooting out of the water she scanned the empty deck, spotting only Nami near the bow. What is she doing? Why is she the only one on the ship?
Cade dove back into the water, unnoticed by Nami, and followed the ship.