…
The entire straw-hat crew had finished eating dinner and was discussing the future of their new member.
"I'm not sure if we should take her aboard. She did just come out of the blue. We don't know what her intentions are yet. She might be a thief of some kind." Usopp and Robin nodded at Zoro's insightful opinion.
"No. She saved my life, and Nami's. We owe it to her to take her to her family. I think we can trust her."
"I agree with Vivi. I heard her play in a tavern earlier and I highly doubt that she's some kind of thief. We could use some live entertainment now and again anyway."
"Sanji the only reason you agree with Vivi is because to you she's another skirt to chase around."
"Shut the hell up Zoro! You didn't hear her play, if you did you would understand why we trust her."
"Whatever." Zoro leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
…
Ayumi hated waiting for orders. She always got nervous and fidgety. She knew that it would be a while before she would hear from Mr. Crocodile and she might as well enjoy the ride. It was night. She could see the moon out of the window. She got up and put her shirt on over her bandages and grabbed her violin. On her way to the top deck she passed the galley. Everyone was in there and from the sound of it they were talking about her and what had happened that day. Ayumi shrugged her shoulders and walked on past. In the corner of his eye Sanji saw her but decided to wait to go and look for her later.
Ayumi walked out to the very tip of the ship and sat on the sheep's head guiding the vessel in the ocean. The stars were out and the sea was calm. It was still warm outside but not nearly as bad as before. She began to play. For the first time that night her mind forgot her mission and her past. She forgot Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine and most of all, for the time being, she forgot about Mr. Crocodile, the man that she was prisoner to and would never escape from. The man that she hated with every fiber of her being but was also the only family she had. In fact Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine were like family too. This though disgusted her and she lost herself in the sad music.
…
Some of the crewmembers had gone to sleep, others were still talking but about different things. Sanji pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "I'm going to go on the top deck and have a smoke."
Although he was heard no one acknowledged his comment and continued to laugh and drink. Sanji slipped out of the room and went on deck. The wind was light and refreshing and the air was cooling down. He leaned against the railing and smoked his cigarette for some time before he heard it. That girl he met in the tavern was practicing her violin. He followed the sound to the bow of the boat and looked out on the sheep's head. There she was completely isolated from the rest of the world facing the sea with her back to the ship. Her eyes were closed and she could only hear the sound of her music.
Sanji leaned against the mast and listened to the girl. She must have played for about an hour and a half before she stopped. Ayumi gave a deep sigh and returned to reality. She was still unaware of the one-man audience behind her. That is until he spoke. "You really do play exquisitely." She turned around quickly and lost her balance. Luckily Sanji was right their to grab her hand before she fell and pulled her onto the ship's deck.
"I didn't mean to frighten you. I probably should have told you that I was there but I didn't want you to stop playing."
Ayumi knew who he was the moment she met him in the tavern. She was given a description of every crewmember on the Merry Go before she started her mission. However she couldn't expose any information that she knew about him. After all he hadn't even told her his name yet and it would be strange if she knew it first.
"It's alright really. I just wasn't expecting someone to be watching me. How long were you there anyway?"
"About an hour and a half." Sanji smiled and blushed.
"What's your name anyway?"
"Well my dear angel you can call me Sanji, I'm the cook on this vessel."
"Okay Sanji…you can let go of me now." Sanji looked down and realized that he had been holding onto her hand with his while his other arm was wrapped around her waist. He quickly let go and threw his hand over his head and sweat dropped. Real smooth idiot that wasn't the best first impression you could have made. You did a much better job when you met Nami and Viv… and Robin for that matter.
Ayumi looked at Sanji questioningly and raised an eyebrow. He looked rather embarrassed and didn't look like he had any idea what to say next so she broke the silence. "You said you're the cook right."
"That I am."
"Well I missed dinner earlier so maybe if it isn't too much trouble…" Sanji cut her off.
"How rude of me. Yeah you're probably starving. I would be honored to fix you a meal fit for the queen you are." Ayumi blushed.
He took her hand and led her into the galley. He pulled out the nearest seat for her and had her sit down. "What would you like?"
"Anything is fine really."
Sanji seemed rather pleased with this answer. "Alright then, I'll make you my specialty." He kissed her hand and walked over to the oven. He's very suave and gentlemanly…considering the men that I'm usually around. Within 10 minutes Sanji presented a large bowl of rice and seafood with a glass of red wine. Ayumi didn't know what she was expecting but it definitely wasn't this. Sanji sat on the opposite side of Ayumi and waited for her critique.
"I hope you like it."
Ayumi tasted the food. O my God this is the most delicious thing that I have ever eaten. Her eyes rolled back into her head and Sanji watched as she savored every bite. "This is absolutely wonderful. I don't think I've ever tried something like this."
Sanji's stomach did a back flip and little hearts began to float around his head. Now that's the first impression that I wanted.
Once Ayumi was finished Sanji cleared her bowl and led her back to her quarters, which happened to be Robin's. "I wanted to thank you for taking the time and trouble to make me something to eat."
"Like I said it was my pleasure and besides I kind of owed you after almost making you fall off of the ship."
"Well goodnight Sanji." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Then while he was still standing with his jaw on the floor she closed the door. He doesn't suspect a thing that stupid drooling puppy. I could kill them all right now if I wanted to and they wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.
…
Sanji walked back to his room and laid awake in his hammock heart eyed and smiling. He couldn't wait till the next morning. Unfortunatly he was so wrapped up in to daydreaming he completely missed the otter and vulture fly past his window and head towards Ayumi's.
…
Back in her room Ayumi was ready to go to bed before she heard a tap at her window. Good thing Robin appears to be a sound sleeper. I don't want my cover blown yet. She walked over to the window and opened it slowly. Awaiting her outside were the Unluckies. "Mr. 13, Miss Friday…it's about time I heard from you." The otter handed her a note and then flew off on the back of the vulture. "Freaks." Ayumi sat down on her bed and opened the letter.
Miss Halloween,
We have a ship stationed at Congo Island disguised as a merchant carrier.
You'll be able to tell our ship from the rest. It will be about a week before you reach us and until then maintain your camouflage and retrieve any useful information. Once you reach Congo Island find our ship and we will board the Merry Go and take the princess…everyone else will parish. Do not fail me Miss Halloween. If you're successful in your mission you will be greatly rewarded.
Crocodile.
…
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE third chapter! Woot woot!ta