Pairing: Zoro x Sanji
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Chapter 1
Nami busied herself with the ship's beri in the galley of Thousand Sunny. She is in the midst of sorting out the crews allowance before they went off on their own little adventure in the island.
The strawhat crew just docked on an island along the course. Nami took a brief stroll and declared that the log post need a week to set. Hence the crew get to have their one-week long break.
And of course, with the little holiday ahead, all of them are looking forward to receive their share of allowance.
Sanji was hoping for a bigger share of allowance for the food supplies, seeing that they were in the New World and will be facing dangerous fights every now and then. The crew needed enough and proper nutrients to grow stronger. But Sanji was sure that any amount of allowance given by the orange-haired navigator must be well calculated, he wouldn't have any complaint for that.
The same thought goes for other crews. Chopper thinking to restock on his medicine and potions, if luck is with him, maybe he can find some useful information to study on the illness across New World. Usopp was planning to explore the island for any handy weapon which can be modified for their own use, a strong weapon can be extremely helpful in battles. And Franky had a list of items that he wanted to get a hold of to boost Thousand Sunny to a more refined state.
Except for some asshead like Luffy who constantly have his mind on meat and getting more meat, and Zoro who have nothing particular in mind. The thought of drowning in booze for one-week long seems like a good idea to pass time.
They all sat around the dining table, lightly chatting while waiting.
"Okay, thanks for the wait everyone." Nami stretched a little in her seat, then hand out the little sum one-by-one to the crowd that had gathered around.
"Luffy…Zoro…Usopp…Sanji…Chopper…Robin…Franky…Brook and Jinbei. And here are the food supplies, medical supplies and for the ship's repair."
"Ehhhh, Nami give me more, I won't have enough meat to eat!" Luffy whined when he looked at the small bag thrown to him.
Nami heard Luffy groaning on his portion, and she quickly shut it with a brutal fist. "Shut up or you will have none at all, you meat freak!"
That efficiently wiped out Usopp weak attempt to bargain for more.
The crew very soon flood out from the galley, each ready to go and explore the island. The smell of fresh adventure running in their blood, sending nice tingly sense of excitement down their body.
They hid Sunny at a natural curve of the island side, shielding it from others.
Nami shouted at the crew before they were out of her sight. "Listen! The log post will set in one week, so everyone count your days and be back on the ship by then!"
She then turned sharply at Luffy, "You! You better not make any fuss here in the island! It's better if you stick to me in this island." Nami hissed dangerously and grabbing the said captain by the collar, dragging the stretching rubber in his opposite direction.
"But Nami, that forest looks interesting! Maybe we can find some cool beast there to eat!"
"As if!"
The duo dragged on towards the direction of the town. The rest of the crew trailed behind in pairs or alone.
Sanji managed to get hold of the swordsman before he can wonder off to the sea. Heck, he didn't even know what the hell he needs in the sea.
"Marimo, you looking for your own in the sea? The town is this way, can't find your way with that moss-brain of yours?" Sanji quirked an eyebrow, smoke swaying away from the sea breeze.
"Shut up shitty cook."
Zoro turned his heels with a grunt, taking the advice of his fellow cook and head the correct direction to the town. Well at least correct for now.
Sanji quickens his pace, tagging beside Zoro. "Stupid marimo, you should thank me for pointing the direction for you, who knows where you will be ending with that hopeless sense of yours."
"What did you say!? Ero-cook!"
"Just a matter of fact, dumbass muscle-brain!"
Eventually Zoro ended up together with Sanji, helping to carry loads while the other busy stocking up on the food supplies. Zoro tried to weave out of the cook's sight, but the latter somehow manage to grab him back and throw more things on him. Having a sense of responsibility, the swordsman couldn't bring himself to dump the load back to the cook, especially not when Sanji did grab a few bottle of sake from the stores. He knew that item was from his request.
Unwillingly, Zoro continued on the grocery chores with Sanji.
It wasn't as unpleasant as Zoro thought it will be, being bossed around by the person who annoyed him the most. On the contrary, Sanji seems to be in his professional self, comparing and judging which ingredient is best to be on the ship, which takes up all his attention and not picking a fight with Zoro.
Besides, when Sanji came across new ingredients or something good, there would be a gleam in his eyes. The way the blue orbs lit up and the way his mouth curved up, he looked so content indulging in all these. Occasionally Sanji would exchange ideas and opinions with Zoro, not that the moss-head would give any constructive feedback, but it's just nice to have someone to talk to.
Zoro thought he could get used to this.
The duo spend most of their day going around town, checking out on different stores. More exact to be said, Sanji spend the whole day shopping with groceries while making sure Zoro didn't get lost in the middle. After a few times of hopeless attempt to guide the stupid marimo, Sanji settled on grabbing Zoro's arm as they go.
He wouldn't want to spend more time later to find the lost marimo and the supplies.
Sanji came to a stop at a corner and checked down on his list. He still have some spices to get and they can finish off the day.
Zoro peered over Sanji's shoulder, eyes stick on the long list. By long, it means the list actually trailed down to the cook's feet, forming a small paper puddle on the floor.
"Ah!? There are still this many things?"
"Idiot, don't just assume what you see." Sanji turned his head a little and rolled an eye. "Look, most of the things here been crossed out, so that's done. And the rest… we don't have to get it now or else it wouldn't be as fresh when we set off one week after."
Sanji trailed the list with his hand, the slender fingers running through like fine silk. He held a pen to cross out the items that have been purchased.
Zoro balanced the heavy load on his shoulder and took a second look at the list, indeed, most items written were crossed out. "So we're done?"
"Yeah, I just need to get some spices and we can put those onto Sunny." Sanji gestured to the load Zoro been carrying around the whole day.
"Then, if you like, we can have dinner. It will be my treat since you've been helping to carry those around."
Zoro flashed a grin. Who would decline a free meal. "Better comes with sake."
"Yeah, yeah. Maybe getting drunk can fix that directionless brain of yours. People do say clashing opposites together can turn out to be a positive event." Sanji threw a lazy insult over, but hands pulling Zoro heading to the spice store in front.
"As if I will get drunk, that will be for weak-ass like you, shitty cook."
"At least I can find my way around and not getting lost into the sea, idiot marimo."
"..."
The sun set when they finally got everything back to the ship. It took them a while to get back to town, because the path was partially hidden now with no lights around. And Zoro had the confident to lead the way, which was getting them further away.
Sanji pulls Zoro by the collar, after taking few turns, the vibrant nightlife of the town appeared before them. They made way to a restaurant that they came across that afternoon, Sanji remembered sniffing something good there.
Sanji and Zoro had their dinner quite peacefully, as peaceful as they could with small bickering in between, mainly Zoro's dismay in Sanji indecisive of what to eat, and Sanji's insult to Zoro lack of palate.
The dinner ended up surprisingly good, even Sanji was impressed by the smoked lamb topped with a special sauce and fried tomatoes and side dishes. The crunch and spices were controlled to perfection.
Not that the moss-head opposite him would even know, as Sanji can see he just gobbled down anything on his plate, occasionally stopping to drink on his sake. Sanji would very much like to teach him table manners then and there.
Just when Zoro was about to tick Sanji off, a loud ruckus from the other side of the restaurant caught their attention.
The commotion had all eyes and attention from the people in the restaurant, they all stop and looked over.
In the center of commotion, there is a huge man with nasty scowl, there at his feet is a mess of food, dirtied with shreds of ceramics. He sat with his friends, all eyeing around with sickening grin plastered on their faces.
"The food you serve here is crap, it's so disgusting that I couldn't bring myself to eat it!" the man spit and stomp on the mess, light squishing sound emitted under the boots.
His friends roared with laughter at the insult.
In front of them stood a petite lady clad in neat chef outfit, from the look of it, she is the chef for the restaurant. She stood shakily in front of the huge man, flinching slightly when the loud sounds boomed from her front.
The man seemed to be amused by her reactions, he moved closer and attempt to stain her with his dirty hands, "I can teach you how to cook proper food, maybe tonight in my room. Hahahahhahah!"
The lady instantly avoided his reach, which turned out to be a bad choice, as it enraged the man more, smashing more plates onto the floor, broken shreds flying everywhere.
The frail lady only hung her head low, wishing them to go away after letting off their anger.
It seems luck was not with her. To her horror, the man pushed forward and grab her arm roughly, pulling her in and forced her into his embrace.
The people in the restaurant started whispering. They know all too well that the food was no where near nasty, in fact it was delicious as the restaurant had been in town for years and is famous for their dishes. But today they are bad on luck as someone decided to crash the place, maybe out of jealousy or they were eyeing the pretty lady chef. Or maybe both.
Sanji just couldn't sit and watch. First, they are messing with ladies. Second, they are wasting food. These two iron rules of Sanji shattered by the ruthless man there, laughing dirtily and uncaring for what he had done.
Just when the man attempt to lean further and take advantage of the lady, Sanji speed forward and throw a solid kick to the man's side, sending him deep into the broken chair. His arm gently holding the shaking lady, now eyes wide in shock from the sudden change of event.
The gang shot up instantly, each wearing a cautious look, eyeing the blonde that appeared from nowhere. They grabbed their weapons in hands and cracking a few bones, trying to appear intimidating.
Ignoring all the show, Sanji settled the lady down in the corner, he even pulled a chair nearby and place it behind her, as her legs were shaking furiously. Her face paper pale, she looks like she is going to pass out any moment.
Turning around to face those ungrateful bastard, Sanji kick his feet lightly against the ground, feeling the muscles tightening and the strength building up. The blonde moved instantly, bringing down the gang one by one like kicking a football. They were no match against the furious opponent.
The fight didn't last long. Just few minutes later all of them were lying dead on the ground, blood oozing from every part.
When the bystanders thought it was over, Sanji made a move to show there was something more. He bend to pick up the food on the floor, one feet pinning down the huge man, one hand shoved the dirty mess into the unconscious man's mouth.
It made a disturbing choking sound. But Sanji didn't care. He continued until every single piece of food was in, then casually stood up and take a napkin to wipe of the dirt on his hands like a graceful royale.
Zoro watched the entire scene with his sake on hand. He knew the man wouldn't end well, but the bloodied pile of man practically scared all the customers here. He got used to those things a long time ago, so he just continued drinking, steady like a cold heartless rock.
Suddenly his sense picked up a thing, when he turned around, the feeling vanished. Zoro shrugged it off and went back to drinking.
An alley beside the restaurant, a thin figure hid carefully in the shadow, dark eyes staring at the pair, a sly grin spread across his face.
Sanji went over and checked on the frightened lady. She was unhurt, just needed some time to recover from the shock. But she did flash a grateful smile towards Sanji, thanking him for saving her in that situation. That sent Sanji's eyes on heart, and he showered the lady with sweet nothing and flowery praises.
Zoro rolled an eye at the cook's attic. He placed the empty bottle on the table, before making his way out of the restaurant.
"Thank you for the meal."
Sanji glanced at the slowly distancing figure, debating whether to follow. In the end he decided to catch up to Zoro, since he should leave the restaurant for the lady to shut off for the day. He can always come back tomorrow.
With that, Sanji greeted the lady a good evening with a gentle kiss on her hand, then left to go after the marimo.
"Ooi marimo, can't you just wait for a moment?"
Zoro raised an eyebrow to the closing footsteps, "What? To see you landing your hands on a women tonight? Nah I rather find a place to sleep."
"What nonsense are you thinking from that moss-brain of yours? And how could you think of a lady that way? A lady is to be treated with care, you dumbass!"
"Huh!? A women is a women! Shit-for-nothing ero cook!"
"Have respect for the ladies! You want me to kick some manners into you!?"
"Bring it on! I will slice through any crap you give!"
Their bicker eventually turned into a full-out fight. Metals clashed with solid heels, the intensity strong enough to send a normal person out flying. No sane person would interfere amidst a heated battle like this.
Well, of course, there appears to be one insane person.
"Em.. excuse me…" A thin figure stood in between Zoro and Sanji, effectively cutting out the battle. "Will you two stay on the island? The town will very much welcome strong people like you two."
Being interfered during a battle and being instructed to stay on the island fumed their frustration. Hell, they were pirates to begin with, and pirate meant freedom, they can do whatever they want and whatever they wish to. The statement was like adding oil to fire, both of them booming with anger.
"LIKE HELL I WILL!"
"THE FUCK!? OUT OF THE WAY!"
Instead of quivering from the warnings throw at him, the thin figure split a huge grin. His fingers caught on his pocket watch, swaying it in front of the duo as a pendulum, creating a steady rhythm.
His mouth opens and close slowly.
"You lived on the island for whole of your lives. You take the first person you see the one you loved most. You will protect the island from danger. Never should you leave. Now, you will fall by the snap of my hand."
As ridiculous as it seems, Zoro and Sanji's consciousness started to fade, their vision turning hazy and blurry, limbs draining out of strength. Snap. Their mind went blank and they fell unconscious to the floor.
The thin figure's grin grew even bigger. He succeeded in hypnotizing them.
-TBC-