Quick Note: This is going to be a really long story, you have been warned. This is going to be updating for a long time and there will be no consistent update schedule what-so-ever. That being said, I hope you enjoy. Also this is a beastman story, with animal type behavior and culture. If you don't like it, don't read.
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Once upon a time there was a man who fell in love with a very beautiful but money hungry woman. Despite having many suitors she made all those interested in her lavish her with gifts. One such man was a cook who tried to win her graces with his cuisine, but seeing as they had no monetary value she cared little.
"What can I do to win over your heart?" he asked.
The beautiful redhead thought for a while and then smiled. "On the other side of the wall there are beastmen. The young beastmen age a human year each day until the age of 18. They are great warriors, but hate humans. If you can take a beastman baby and raise it to help humans instead, I shall consider bethrothing you."
The cook smiled, hearts in his eyes, "I shall, my lady. I will present him to you when he is ready."
The cook traveled over the border and was greeted by many dangers, but luckily he was a skilled fighter himself and managed to traverse with little to no problem. The issue lied in that the beastmen wanted nothing to do with him and the adult males would attack him upon sight and the women beastmen would run off with their children on sight.
The cook seemed to be going nowhere when he stumbled across a sight that would never leave him, a man crying in front of a hand made burial site.
"What happened?" The cook asked.
The man looked utterly defeated, "My daughter… Kunia"
The man turned to look at him and they locked eyes. The look in his eyes was like nothing the cook had ever seen before. "You- your a human…" The man looked at the cook in shock, "Why are you here?"
Sanji sat down and explained to him his situation, at the end the cook sighed "I was hoping to adopt a child to raise for her, but everyone runs or attacks as soon as they see me."
The man seems to think over his words, "What would you do once the child reaches maturity? After eighteen days beastmen are adults and will want a mate. They will be a young man, lost in the world of humans, who fear us."
"I would give it my company, and help it in finding a mate."
The man shook his head, "Most beastmen know who they will mate at a very young age, there are only a few I have ever met that didn't find a mate before the end of those eighteen days."
"I see…"
"There is only one I know of now that-" the man's words seemed to die in his throat, "Ah, I see." He suddenly smiled. "If you promise to raise him with the intent of making him happy, I have a young pup for you. He is already seven days old, but he has much to learn."
Before the cook could ask anything else he felt a wet snout against his neck. Surprised, the cook turned to see a small green wolf giving him an odd look.
"That is Zoro, I want you to take him with you." the man said.
He turned back to face the other man puzzled, "I am very grateful but why are you willing to entrust him to me?"
The man had a kind smile, "I can see in your eyes you are a good man. Besides-" The beastman smiled, "It appears Zoro has already chosen to set out on his path."
"What path would that be?" Sanji asked, confused.
The man just smiled, "You will find out one day soon. Destiny is a wonderful thing and it seems like the fates have woven a tricky path for you young man." The man stood up, "Now if you would be so kind, I have some last minute things to do, before you and Zoro head out on your journey."
Sanji waited as the man and the pup walked off, fidgeting a bit about, wasn't this weird? He was happy it was so easy, but shouldn't it have been harder? He felt like there just had to be a catch.
Who was that man? Why did a human have a beastman pup?
Shortly after the man returned from whatever he had been doing with a bag in his hand, the pup at the man's feet.
"This bag is full of Zoro's things, make sure not to open it. When he comes of age he will take care of everything. While I am worried since you're human I am not one to question destiny." He handed the cook the bag and Zoro sat at his feet now instead.
He looked toward the pup at his feet, before crouching down, "My name is Sanji. I'll be the one taking care of you."
Zoro huffed, and the man laughed naturally, "For now."
Sanji looked back at the man, who sounded really cryptic. "What do you mean?"
"Don't underestimate him. There is a reason why humans fear beastmen."
"I thought you wanted me to protect him."
The man shook his head, "No, I just want you to make him happy." Seriously, that was vague. "Each day for a beastmen pup is like a human year. Now he is seven, tomorrow eight, the next nine, until the eighteenth day when he will age the same as humans do."
Sanji looked down at the pup, "That means I only have eleven days to raise him for Lady Nami."
The man looked slightly concerned, "What do you know of beastmen?"
"They are beasts that can understand human language and I believe mimic it. Older beastmen take on some human qualities such as having hands and walking on their hind legs correct?"
The man actually laughed, "A tricky path indeed young man. Would you care for some words of advice?"
Sanji looked down at the little green pup at his feet, before back to the man, "Please."
"History books only tell you one side of a story. Even a scholar can know almost nothing if he only reads the literature from his land." The man walks off, leaving Sanji very confused.
The pup is looking up at Sanji expectantly. "Want me to carry you?" He asks.
The pup sticks its small nose into the air.
They start on their journey back but Sanji starts getting frustrated because he keeps almost losing the little pup.
Finally he crouches down, "Do you regret coming with me?"
The pup rubs its face into Sanji's hands and licks his palm.
"Why do you keep running away?"
The pup tilts its head to the side, like Sanji said something weird.
"Can you just let me carry you, so we don't get separated?"
Zoro doesn't look thrilled with the idea but allows himself to be picked up. As they walked Sanji plays with the fur of the young wolf.
They had been walking for a long while. "You are awfully cute. I think Nami will be very pleased."
Zoro barked.
"I should tell you about her, shouldn't I?"
As he walked he told the pup in his arms all about Nami. He told Zoro of her desire for wealth, and her beauty. He told Zoro stories of her strength and determination.
"Everyone loves her, I'm sure you will as well. She has a number of suitors that are after her heart, and I am one of the many. I hope to marry her and lavish her with my love every day."
Sanji was so busy daydreaming it took him a while to notice that the pup in his arms was growling softly.
"What's wrong?"
The young beastman responded by licking and nipping at the juncture where Sanji's shoulder met his neck, before nuzzling his face there.
It had grown late, so Sanji made them both some food and called it a day finding a safe place for them to sleep.
To his surprise the pup crawled up on his chest and cuddled into him. He really was awfully cute.
That night he dreamt of a young boy with green hair laying on his chest instead of the pup. The boy glared at him angrily, "I already hate her. I don't want to share you with her."
Sanji opened his eyes and groaned from the pain of laying on the ground. The young beastman still lay slumbering on his chest.
The cook ran his fingers through the fur on his head, waking up the beastman. Zoro immediately started nuzzling into his palm.
He wondered if Zoro would cuddle like this with Nami, surely the lady would love such a thing.
What would Zoro be like as an adult? Would it be indesent for a full-grown beastman to sleep alongside her? What if Zoro ended up wanting Nami to be his mate?
He supposed that would be a bridge to cross when he got there.
He cradled the pup noting that the pup had definitely grown and gotten heavier overnight.
"I guess you're eight now, right? You grow like a weed, and you're the same color as one too."
Zoro bit Sanji's hand, enough to hurt a little but not enough to break skin. Out of reflex he dropped Zoro clutching at his hand.
It only took him a moment to realize what he did. "Shit, Zoro, I'm so sorry!" Sanji bent down, still cradling his hand. "I didn't mean to drop you, it's just." Sanji checked his hand, "My hands are everything to me, because I'm a cook. Without them… they are all I have." Sanji flexed his fingers carefully, staring at his hand as though it might fall off.
Zoro licked at the place he bit, Sanji subconsciously flinching. The pup whined softly and licked the bite some more.
Sanji ran his other hand along Zoro's fur gently. "I know you didn't know. Just if you get mad at me, bite me anywhere else but my hands okay?"
The pup nodded its head, and Sanji smiled. "You can understand me, can't you?"
The pup licked his face in response, making Sanji push him away. "Ew" he said with no real mirth or disgust.
"Let's catch some rabbits or something for breakfast."
Sanji hardly had a chance to hunt before Zoro had caught two rabbits and a squirrel.
"Impressive" Sanji took them and prepped them while Zoro watched.
When finished he gave the cooked squirrel and half the bunny to Zoro and had the bunny and a half for himself.
The pup licked his lips happily when he was done.
"Did you like your food?" Sanji asked.
The pup licked his lips again, making Sanji smile. "If you like that, just wait until you see me in the kitchen. I'll make you the best food you've ever had."
When they were all packed up Zoro allowed the chef to pick him up.
"We should be back to my home in a few days."
As Sanji walked, Zoro mostly just slept unless it was a bathroom or food break.
Not one to like silence so Sanji talked to Zoro about anything and everything. It was odd considering he wasn't even sure if the pup could even truly understand what he was saying. It seemed like he did earlier but he couldn't be certain.
Regardless he talked about how he enjoyed the forest. Which in turn led him to talking about his love for the ocean in comparison. He told the pup about how he would love to find the All Blue "It really does exist, I just know it does." That led to him talking about what kind of seafood he enjoyed making.
By the time he was settling in for the night it occurred to him that he had been talking non stop to the poor young beastman.
"I kinda hope you can't understand everything I say. You would be bored to tears."
The pup huffed and laid on his chest again, snuggling close. "I guess I just don't have anyone to talk to." He pet the pup on the head and closed his eyes.
Once again he had the same dream about the same boy, but he looked a bit older. The young boy had his head resting over Sanji's heart, "I want to hear everything about you, tell me more…" the boy looked at him with a cheeky little smirk, "Even if you sound like an old grandma when you talk like that."
"Hey, you little shit-" Sanji cut himself off from yelling at the kid, instead looking at him questioningly, "Who the hell are you?"
The kid glared at him, "You're stupid, shit-cook."
Okay, never mind, he was going to give this kid a piece of his mind!
"Who the hell are you calling stupid, you dumb little brat!?"
"You, curly." The boy poked Sanji's curly eyebrow.
Sanji woke up the next morning once again acknowledging the pup had grown more. The pup was awake before him today though and when Sanji looked at him he was met with a tongue along his cheek.
The young beastman jumped away when Sanji yelled out a "hey!" And wiped away the wetness from his face.
Sanji looked at the young beastman with judgmental eyes, he was indeed bigger than before but still just looked like a regular wolf (besides fur color).
"Are you sure you're not just a regular wolf?" Sanji asked him.
The pup somehow managed to look annoyed which made Sanji laugh.
"So you're nine today, huh? You don't look like you're nine."
Again the pup looks irritated.
"I guess you are nine year olds are now. For a nine year old you still remind me of a baby."
The wolf lifted its leg like it was about to pee on the cook. "Wow, okay, sorry!"
Damn pup looked happy with itself.
"I take everything I said about you back. Nami is going to hate you."
Sanji was pretty sure he was starting to go crazy because the pup somehow managed to look happy about that.
"Ugh, let's have some breakfast" Sanji sat up, rubbing his back, sleeping on the floor like this was killing his back.
It made him think of the dream he had last night of the kid who compared him to a grandma. "Tch" he pulled out a cigarette and took a drag. He studied the wolf at his feet, the kids hair in his dream was the same color of the fur on the pup.
It reminded him of something but he pushed it to the side.
Zoro hunted again and this time they both had some boar.
He tried to see if Zoro could follow him again, but once more the pup would get lost almost right away.
He sighed and held him again as they continued their journey.
Sanji wasn't thinking of anything in particular when he looked down at the wolf's fur and what he was trying to think of earlier suddenly came to him.
"Marimo." The pup imidiatly looked at him, "Your fur is the same color of the hair as that kid in my dream. It looks like a moss ball."
Zoro growled.
Sanji only smiled in return though, "What's wrong, don't like your new name? Ma-ri-mo~" Sanji drew out the name just to bother him.
Sanji almost expected to get bit again but the pup didn't.
Once again Sanji told the pup about himself to fill the silence. He told him about his home town and the first time he met Zeff. He told Zoro about how he liked to spar but didn't have anyone to really do it with.
"You don't want to know about my biological family. Let's just say…" Sanji cut himself off and looked off to the side instead. Some memories were best locked and stored away.
"I wish you could talk to me." Sanji changed the subject, "I have so many questions for you. I want to know more about you. Like what's your favorite color, and season. Did you enjoy living with that man? Are you actually a beastman or did that guy fool me? Do you hate humans? What's your favorite food? Do you like music and books? If you do, which ones? Do you think… Do you think a guy like me has any chance with Lady Nami?"
The pup stared blankly at him, making Sanji laugh.
Sanji told Zoro about romance novels, leaving out some of the more "adult" things. He talked about romance troupes he liked, although admitted he loved all of them at least a little. He ended up talking to Zoro about how beautiful women were. He talked about their figures, smooth skin, long hair, and about their light airy voices.
"When you get older, I guess in a few days, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about." Sanji told Zoro during lunch. "I'm envious of beastmen meeting your mate within your first eighteen days. I've had seventeen years and can't find anyone. I hope your mate is a beautiful lady, who makes you happy every day. Remember to appreciate and respect her."
Zoro's ears were down, almost like he was upset as he ate his food.
The rest of the day Sanji didn't talk as much, worried slightly he would run out of things to talk about if he did.
That night when Sanji laid down to sleep Zoro lay sleeping away from him yet still on his chest. Sanji allowed himself to fall asleep.
He didn't dream of the boy that night but he did dream of small droplets of water falling on his face, "You promised Koushirou you would make me happy, but you're a liar…."
Sanji woke up to a soft rain. Sanji gathered berries and fruit to eat deciding to skip on hunting for now.
He went to gather up Zoro but froze on the spot. Zoro was still covered in fur, but his hands were human shaped and he was more shaped like an actual ten year old boy.
"Zoro?" Sanji asked in amazement.
"What do you want?"
That startled Sanji even further, "You can talk!?"
"Yes, I can talk you idiot!"
"Since when!?"
"Since this morning," Zoro grumbled.
Sanji luckily had a spare shirt which he gave to Zoro, it fit loosely around his torso. Sanji suddenly pulled the ten year old into his chest. "You're so fuckin' cute!"
Zoro's face was smashed into Sanji's chest, "Get off me you smell, and I'm not cute." he grumbled half heartedly.
"You're right, cute doesn't cut it, you're adorable!"
Zoro's small arms wrapped around Sanji as well, "Shut up."
"Oh, Zoro! Nami is going to be absolutely thrilled!" Before Sanji could say anything else Zoro ripped away from him, fists clenched at his side.
"I don't care what she thinks of me!"
Sanji put his hands up in surrender, "Wow, why are you so mad?"
Zoro sucked in a bunch of air before pointing at Sanji and yelling at him, "Anyone who treats people differently based on their gender is an idiot!"
"Your just young-"
"No!" Zoro crossed his arms, cutting the cook off mid sentence, "You're just an idiot with ugly eyebrows."
Sanji knew he shouldn't lose his temper at a kid but he couldn't help it, "Well at least I'm not a little snot nosed Marimo Ball who doesn't even know how to follow a straight path without getting lost."
"You're such an asshole!" Zoro yelled at him.
"Don't cuss at me!" Sanji yelled back.
"You're the one who taught me those words, it's not my fault beastmen are so much smarter than humans and actually learn fast."
"Oh so you don't like how I treat women differently but you are going to treat a human differently. That's pretty much the same thing!"
The beastman child opened his mouth to retort, didn't have something smart to say and shut his mouth again.
Sanji sighed, speaking softer, "We are going to get wet, let's go."
He started to walk off when he realized Zoro would get lost again. "I don't really think I can carry you anymore…" Sanji said softly and turned to face the child.
Zoro already had his hand out and was staring off at the ground beside him.
Sanji smiled, "You really are too cute." He held onto Zoro's hand and led him through the woods, picking safe berries and fruits along the way.
Zoro mumbled something and Sanji looked over at him, "What was that Marimo?"
"I don't want you to think of me as cute."
"Oh?" Sanji smiled teasingly, "Want me to call you ugly?"
"No, I want to be handsome."
Sanji laughed, "Maybe in a few year- I mean, days. For now just enjoy being cute. Since I'm the one raising you, isn't it normal to find your kid cute?"
Zoro yanked hard on Sanji's arm, the cook being surprised at how strong the kid was almost fell on his ass. "I'm not your kid, don't you ever think that. In a few days I'll be older than you are now."
"I guess that's true" Sanji rubbed the back of his neck.
"And when that happens, you'll regret ever even thinking that I'm cute and you'll understand that I am not and never will be your kid."
Sanji stood back up, and was surprised to see that Zoro still wanted to hold his hand.
Sanji felt pretty miserable, what had he done that made this kid hate him so much? Was it just because he was a human?
It was silent for a while before Zoro spoke up, "My favorite color I guess is blue. I've never seen the ocean but it sounds nice. I don't really have a favorite food, but Koushiro used to make me rice balls a lot and I really like them, so maybe those. I'm not sure what seasons are but based on what you've told me about them they all sound kinda nice."
"Zoro, you…" Sanji was shocked.
"The romance stuff you talk about is really weird to me but if you like it so much it must be nice too."
It grew silent again before Sanji burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Zoro fumed.
"You actually listened to everything I said" Sanji whipped away a tear.
"Why is that funny!?"
Sanji smiled at the young boy, "It's not, it's just… I guess it just made me really happy" Sanji smiled brightly at Zoro before resting his free hand on Zoro's head, ruffling the fur there.
"Hey!" Zoro knocked away Sanji's hand that had ruffled his fur. They started walking again and Sanji felt Zoro's hand squeeze his, "You can talk to me anytime you want, even if some of the things you say are stupid, I'll listen."
"Even if it's about women?"
"Just because I listen doesn't mean I won't argue about it." Zoro grumbled.
Sanji laughed again, and asked Zoro about beastmen culture.
There apparently was a lot he had not known and by the end of the day there were still more questions he had never had answered. Things he now knew though was that beastmen culture was very similar to human culture. The only big exceptions were mating things, aging, and apparently shape shifting.
"How can you tell who you should mate, it's not like you date them, right?"
"You can date your mate, but your mate is someone you know was made just for you…" Zoro looks over to Sanji, "Everything changes. You would do anything not to lose them."
"Like a soulmate?" Sanji asks.
"I guess, but it's more biological. We can smell pheromones a lot clearer. It's hard to explain, we just know."
Sanji hums softly. They are both laying on the ground next to each other. "Is it all science, or do you actually fall in love too?"
Zoro drapes himself over Sanji cuddling into him and Sanji allows it, rubbing his hand along Zoro's back.
"We do fall in love, and it's really intense. It may not sound romantic to you, it's not like those books you love so much."
"No, it doesn't sound like anything in my romance novels, that's for sure." The young beastman snuggled harder onto the cook, "You know though, I think it's more romantic. It's still a feeling, but it's more than that as well. You also said you mate for life right?"
"Yes"
They laid in silence for a while when Sanji thought of something, he whispered incase Zoro was already asleep. "Is it possible for your mate to not love you?"
Sanji grunts as Zoro lays completely on top of him speaking into his neck, "yes"
"Don't worry Zoro" Sanji wrapped his arm around the young boy and held him, "I know you'll be around humans but I'm sure you'll find a mate, and they'll love you. The women will swoon when you get older, I'm sure of it. We can even go on a double date at some point."
"You really are the worst," Zoro grumbled.
Sanji wasn't sure what he said that irritated the kid but Sanji shrugged it off as kids being kids.
That night the kid appeared in his dreams again. The kid grabbed Sanji's hand, placing it over his chest, before taking his own hand and placing it over Sanji's. He could feel the kids heart beat under his palm. The kid gently put his forehead against The Cook's, "Can't you feel it too?"