Chapter 14

Sanji sat in silence as the maids place the plates of food in front of his friends and family. He watched Niji out of the corner of his eye, as his older brother wrinkled his nose at the food on his plate. A smirk forming on the cook's face as he glanced around to each of the Vinsmokes, waiting for them to unknowingly take their first bite of his cooking.

The anticipation was killing him. It felt as though time has slowed down dramatically as he watched his family pick up the silverware and take that first bite.

He wasn't trying to prove himself to them…. He didn't need or want that. He didn't care what they thought of him, he hasn't cared about that in years. It was just that his pride for his skills in cooking was beginning to kick in and he wanted to see all six of their reactions…. Even if the only reaction he actually wanted to see was that of the only member of his family that actually knew what his cooking used to be like… the only parent that cared about him… the only one that ever loved him.

None of them seemed to notice that Sanji was now in the air trying to get a better view of all of their faces…. In fact Sanji didn't even realize he'd done it himself, until he was already in the air…. He thought for a moment and realized he could have just used his observation haki but then again that wasn't the same as actually witnessing it… when it came to something like this anyways.

He watched silently yet impatiently as the forks left their mouths. Each of his siblings froze, eyes wide with shock. This lasted for about thirty seconds before something seemed to have snapped and for a moment they seemed to forget that they were royalty and they began scarring the food down.

"Hey, slow down!" Sanji laughed as he landed next to his mother. "You know, if you eat to fast your body will trick you into thinking you're still hungry."

"Shut up. Who are you to tell us what to do?" Niji said.

"Just trying to keep you from choking."

"Dad, did we get a new head chef?" Yonji asked.

"No," Judge answered in a monotone.

"How the hell did Cosette's cooking get this good sense breakfast?!" Niji asked taking another bite of the same dish he refused to eat the previous night.

Sanji tried to hide his smile as he ate quietly, he thought he was doing a good job at it.

"She didn't," Sora said, "did she, Sanji?"

Sanji jumped, "What? Why are you asking me? I didn't do anything!"

"You're lying."

"No I'm not!" Sanji denied as he took another bite of food.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't cook this meal."

Sanji stared at his mother in disbelief, how did she know?

"I'm your mother. I know everything," she said as if reading his mind. "Not to mention you are a horrible liar when it comes to cooking. But you did manage to get a compliment from your brothers, that's quite the accomplishment."

Sanji looked down at his plate. "It's not their compliment I wa~ ...need," he muttered.

Sora placed her hand on his, "Lunch was absolutely wonderful, Sanji. Your friends are right, you are quite the amazing chef." Sanji looked at her, smiling widely. "Would you cook for us again?"

"uh-huh!" Sanji nodded.

"He will not! As long as he is hear he will not step one foot into that kitchen ever again!" Judge said throwing his plate on to the floor. "Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju, do not eat another bite. Royals serve no one! Get it through that think skull of yours!"

"While I agree with you, Father…. This is me caring," Ichiji said taking another bite. "However, if I find out you've been cooking again…. Don't think I won't make you regret it! Royals are…."

"Meant to act like royals…. Yeah, yeah, I know."

"Judge, I won't have it! You locked him in this castle like a caged animal! You have the place he grew up as a hostage! You brought his friends here to use against him! You took his freedom, I will not let you take cooking away from him too!" Sora argued.

"Neither will we!" Luffy said, his eyes filled with anger "None of us will eat another crumb of food unless it's cooked by Sanji's hands!

"He has made it very clear that he is not a Royal! There for there is no need for him to act like one!" Nami added.

"He's our friend! And we fight for our friends when they can't fight for themselves!" Luffy held out his arm, "Second Gear! Gum Gum jet…."

"LUFFY, DON'T!" Sanji said running to his captain. "DON'T BE STUPID!" he kicked Luffy in the stomach sending him flying.

"I've had enough of him, Sanji! Get out of my way so I can kick his ass!" Luffy said Jumping to his feet.

"THEY'LL KILL YOU! THAT'S WHAT THEY DO! THEY WANT YOU TO FIGHT THEM SO THEY HAVE AN EXCUSE TO! JUST STAY OUT OF THIS!"

"DO YOU UNDERESTIMATE ME, SANJI?!"

"NO! I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF THEIR ATTACKS!" Sanji took a deep breath, "Look Luffy, I know you could beet Niji, maybe even Yonji and Judge… but Ichiji…. I've known you long enough that I know all your weaknesses…. Not to mention anything that you guys do they'll blame on me… They'll use any excuse they can to blow up the Baratie and kill you guys. Mom can try to talk them out of it as much as she wants but you've seen how well that's worked out."

"Enough, Sanji. Do you honestly think that we'd let them kill Zeff? You're trying to fight by yourself…. I told you not to…. I'm your captain and that was an order…. STOP TRYING TO FIGHT ALLOWN, SANJI!"

Niji and Yonji were laughing through this conversation… that was until Niji comprehended exactly what was said.

"Hey! What the hell makes you think a weakling like your captain could ever beat me in a fight!"

"Are you really that big of an arrogant idiot!" Sanji said turning to Niji. "You produce electricity! His body is made up entirely of rubber! Electricity is weak against rubber! Do you really have that big of an ego that you don't know when your rival is going to be unaffected by your attacks!"

"What does that have to do with me?!" Yonji asked.

"Again, rubber! All my kick did to him was sent him flying! Brute strength isn't going to hurt a rubber man! If I was using Diable Jambe then I could have done some dama~ …WHY THE HELL AM I TELLING YOU THIS?!"

"So we can kick your captains ass easier than it already will be…?" Niji answered.

Judge walked to the door jestering for his children to follow, "You too, Sanji."

Luffy grabbed Sanji by the shoulder as he walked past. "You are not alone anymore so stop fighting like we're not here," he said. He let go of the blond, who then followed the others out the door.

"He's only trying to protect you guys," Sora said when the doors closed.

"We can protect ourselves," Zoro replied.

"You have to understand that Sanji grew up fearing his father and brother. Now he's got friends that mean the world to him, he doesn't what them finding an excuse to hurt you or worse. He treasures his friends because he never truly knew what friends were until he left Germa. And now he has some amazing friends, it would kill him if something happened to them."

"When my brother, Ace, died, my crew was the only thing that kept me going, that is after a friend reminded me that I still had them. I can't wait till Jinbei joins the crew!"

"We now that, Luffy, but right now we have to worry about getting Sanji-kun out of here."

Alright next chapter San vs. Ich, Ni, and Yon! Please bare with me as I am not real great with describing fight scenes, but I'll do my best! I think I'm about 50% done with this fanfic but knowing me I'll come up with more stuff to add (maybe even a sequel but I'm not sure on that yet we'll see if I get any inspiration for one ?)

I can't say thank you enough for all your wonderful reviews so thanks again! ?