Chapter 3, Figuring Out The Feelings
Sanji grumbled as he balanced the tray on his small hand, peeking over the counter to spy on Ussop as the Sniper sat on the table, working on his inventions. The small Cook picked the tray with two hands and bounded over to Ussop, pushing it on the table with a smile.
"Here," he said, voice high and child-like.
Ussop smiled at him and Sanji clambered on the table, short brown hair falling in his face. His shirt caught on the rough table and he yelped as he tipped forward. Ussop caught him, steadying him to keep the Cook from falling.
"Should you be using it this much?" Ussop asked in concern.
Sanji pouted, picking a bun off the plate and munching on it. "I have to, I need to learn how to use it and if I don't get the hang of it, it won't be useful in battle."
Ussop nodded and picked up a bread roll, popping it into his mouth while eyeing the new pellet he was working on. Sanji watched him work, glad for the peaceful day. He needed these days to learn his powers and the extent of them.
"Do you think the Marines will know it's me if I look like this?" Sanji asked.
Ussop looked at him, frowning. "I guess not, I don't see any resemblance of you normally. You look like a totally different kid," he said.
Sanji beamed at him and opened his mouth to say another something when the door banged open and Zoro sauntered in, giving the kid on the table one look and walking through to the counter, opening the cupboard and pulling out a bottle of sake to gulp down half of it in one go. Sanji stared at him in awe, confusion written on his face. Zoro had been quite distant from him the last few days, especially after Sanji had sung in front of the crew in the form of his mother.
"Who're you supposed to be now?" Zoro grumbled, sake bottle halfway to his lips again.
Sanji rolled his eyes and climbed off the table ignoring Ussop's strange look. Sanji sauntered up to Zoro, letting his powers go wild with the imagination he knew was running in Zoro's mind on full tilt. His body grew, his hair went blonde and short, his chest grew and he became slender. The beautiful woman he'd been a few days earlier in the infirmary stood before Zoro in nothing but a skimpy bikini and Sanji could do nothing but blink his lashes innocently at the red faced man.
Zoro's face had gone from his normal color to a cherry red in an instant. He backed up from Sanji and tried to look anywhere but at the Cook in front of him. Sanji heard Ussop squeak and the Sniper tumbled off the table with a loud bonk. Sanji ignored him in favor of riling up the Swordsman in front of him. Zoro stood perfectly still, a white knuckled grip around the bottle. Sanji could see his Adam's Apple bob up and down as he swallowed heavily.
"Speechless, huh? I left you completely speechless. Pervert," Sanji teased, voice smooth and feminine.
Zoro swallowed again and looked past him at Ussop, who was still on the floor, but now looking at Sanji in awe.
"Wow, you look pretty," he said.
Sanji turned to him, smiling widely. "Thanks Ussop. At least you appreciate my beauty!" he said with a wink.
Ussop had to hold in his laugh and stood, scurrying out of the kitchen as a murdering aura bloomed up behind Sanji. The blonde turned only to instantly get kissed, deeply. Sanji gasped, an involuntary invitation for Zoro's tongue. And the Swordsman took it. He slipped his tongue inside Sanji's mouth and the Cook couldn't help the blush that was rising to his cheeks.
He didn't know Zoro was such a good kisser. It was hot and quick and messy and all passion and power. It left him breathless and weak in the knees. The kiss ended abruptly and Zoro shoved him back, Sanji's hip connecting with the counter painfully. He grunted and looked up at Zoro. The Marimo was blushing fiercely and looking anywhere but Sanji. The Swordsman placed the bottle of sake down and practically ran out of the kitchen, banging his shoulder against the doorframe in his haste to get out.
Sanji giggled, interested in this new development. A fluttery feeling had begun to settle in his stomach and he felt a little giddy. It was a nice change to see the Swordsman so flustered and bothered. It made Sanji feel happy, though he didn't yet understand why.
"Hey Sanji-kun?" Nami said as she suddenly appeared in the doorway.
Sanji looked up at her, smiling. "Yes, Nami-san?" he asked, fingers fumbling with the cord of his bikini bottom.
"Ah, I see. You could really use a little color you know. Come sunbathe with me and Robin in the boat. We'll catch more light on the water," the red head said with a smile.
Sanji grinned, he'd always wanted to try that. "Alright, is there anything I should take with me?" he asked.
Nami pursed her lips, counting on her hand. "No, not really, I got a towel for you and the sun-block. You could bring some snacks if you like though," she said.
Sanji nodded, smiling. "I'll prepare us each a lunch box then. The others can make their own once they're hungry. Would you like anything specific?" Sanji asked as he turned to the fridge, his clothes morphing to fit for cooking.
Nami didn't answer for a while, staring at the transformation. But when Sanji looked at her expectantly, she grinned. "No, it's fine. You can do anything you like with it. I don't mind and neither will Robin. We'll wait for you at the docking system."
With that, she left and Sanji was alone once again. Now back to his normal form, he started preparing three boxes of bento for himself and the girls. They'd need something to eat once they grew hungry, and he wasn't about to get back on the Sunny while lying comfortably in a boat which was gonna make him tan. With a box for each lady, Sanji packed them up and made his way outside. He spotted Nami clearing their little lifeboat and placing soft cushions and towels in the bottom. Nami looked up at him as he walked over to her and he handed her the bento boxes. She smiled at him in thanks. Robin came walking up to them in her bikini and smiled at Sanji. She handed him a pack of clothes and Sanji frowned.
"I can make my own, remember," he said.
Robin smiled. "I know. In that case, would you be able to make those?" she asked with a glint in her eyes.
Sanji opened the pack of clothes to see a bikini outfit that was actually pretty nice. The top was a normal bikini top, a pretty blue with frilly things on the bottom. The panties were also that pretty deep blue, with a just a few frilly things on it. Sanji eyed them, wondering if they would look good on his female form. Should he make his hair long? Should he keep the short style Zoro liked so much? Wait, why was he thinking off Zoro at such a time. A flush raced over his face and Sanji closed his eyes with a groan.
"Can you do it?" Robin asked.
Sanji nodded. "Yes, I was just thinking something. Never mind that, I'll give it a try," he said.
Robin nodded her head and went to stand next to Nami. Sanji concentrated on the outfit and his feminine figure. He wanted to look pretty, like Nami and Robin. He wanted to be someone the others would say was pretty. He wanted to be what he thought was pretty. He felt the tingling in his body and it shifted to fit his wishes. His hair went blonder and shorter again, he had to admit he kinda liked the style. His chest expanded and he could feel his clothes morph to fit his body and become the small bikini. Sanji opened his eyes then, his transformation done.
Nami's eyes were wide with glee and happiness. Robin had a smile on her face that said everything Sanji needed to know. He looked down on himself, seeing the lovely curves that would have caused him to die of a nosebleed not too long ago. A smile stretched over Sanji's face and he grinned at the two ladies of the crew. The motioned for him to get in the boat, as they did themselves. Sanji went to sit on the edge and clamped onto it for safety.
"Franky, you can drop us now!" Nami called to the cyborg standing by the rudder.
"OW! Super! Here we go!" Franky yelled back.
Sanji grinned as the boat was lowered and gently fell into the waves. They lapped at it and immediately they drifted a bit, the rope between boat and Sunny pulling them back slightly.
"Come sit," Nami said, beckoning Sanji to join them at the bottom of the boat.
Sanji slid off the side and into the boat, joining Nami and Robin on the blanket of cushions and towels.
"Let's rub some sun-block on you, or you'll burn," Nami said as she squeezed some lotion on her hand.
Sanji nodded and turned his back to her, so she could rub it on his back. "This is kinda nice," Sanji said as Nami's hands rubbed on his skin.
"It is, isn't it. I'm actually kinda glad you ate that fruit Sanji-kun," Nami said. "It's sounds mean, but it gives us something to talk about and now we can spend much more time together."
Sanji nodded and weaved a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I was surprised to find out I could do this, but it could be very useful for when we go into town, or get chased. I could just blend into the crowd and disappear," he said.
Nami was silent behind him, humming as she finished rubbing all of his exposed skin so it wouldn't burn. Robin handed Sanji a sandwich and he thanked her with a nod. He bit into it, smiling at the flavor.
"It's quite a peaceful day, wouldn't you agree?" Robin said as she laid back.
Sanji nodded again. "Yeah, it's nice. I can practice with my powers, find out what more I can do," he said.
Nami perked up at that. "Have you tried swimming?" she asked.
Sanji frowned. "No, Nami-san. I haven't, I would drown," he said.
Nami pursed her lips. "But if you can modify your body, you could become something that can swim, right?" she said. "Wouldn't you be able to become a mermaid or something?"
Sanji's eyes widened. "Never tried that before. But I don't want to ruin the lotion yet. Let's just focus on getting that tan you suggested."
Nami's smile was wide and she went to lay down in the boat. Sanji grinned as he looked down on both women, sunbathing peacefully. Sanji didn't really want to lay down and do nothing. He chose to sit back on the edge of the boat, looking out over the water. He admired the sun shining and reflecting on the sea. Waves were gently rocking the boat and Sanji soaked up the rays of sun that touched his fair skin. After a while, he chose to dip his feet in the ocean. He didn't feel any different, or weaker. He guessed that his body wouldn't sink if he took a swim. But he wasn't gonna risk it.
His eyes traveled upwards to the Sunny. To his surprise, he spotted Zoro leaning on the railing, looking right at him. A flush covered the man's face and he quickly looked away. Sanji smiled, fluttering feelings blossoming in his gut. He guessed he liked Zoro. That would be the best explanation. But it was kinda scary at the same time. Sanji's had never truly loved someone before. Sure, he'd pretended to love the ladies, and he did love them, to some extent. Just, not like he would really love someone. And he discovered now that he really, really liked Zoro. That could become something more overtime.
Sanji waved at Zoro, and the Swordsman looked away with a flush that colored his ears red. Sanji shifted, his feet dipping further into the water, and just as suddenly, the sea rose in front of him and Sanji let out an involuntary scream. Zoro's gaze was back on him, he could feel it. But Sanji was more concerned with the sea king that was opening it's maw to bite Sanji in half. The blonde dove into the boat with a yelp, crashing into Nami and Robin. Both women startled up and their eyes opened wide as they saw the sea king.
It was large, and deadly. Pointed teeth and angry eyes. Sanji wondered what he'd done to anger it. It was a half snake half bunny thing that roared right in his face. Sanji screamed again as the thing lunged, pushing the boat forward. Robin's arms were suddenly around Sanji and he was prevented from banging into the side of the boat. The bobbing thing flung away from the Sunny and to Sanji's horror, the rope that held them there snapped. They didn't have any peddles so they couldn't get back there.
"Guys!" Sanji heard Zoro yell and he looked over.
The sea king had targeted the Sunny then, and the waves went high as it slashed its tail. Sanji tripped, banging his head against the edge of the boat. White obscured his vision and he could hear Nami and Robin call to their friends. He heard something about Robin's reach not being enough, and a scream of his name. Then, nothing.
o-o-o
Sanji's eyes fluttered open and he groaned. His body felt heavy and sluggish. He groaned again as light poured behind his eyelids and he closed them again.
"Sanji-kun?" Nami's voice floated over to him and he blinked his eyes open again.
Nami was hanging over him, her face near his and a concerned look on it. Sanji suddenly wondered why the sky was so dark and his eyes widened.
"Where are we?" he asked as he sat up, a shiver running up his barely dressed form.
Nami bit her lip. "We drifted off and Sunny wasn't fast enough to catch us. They were battling the sea king and you couldn't help cause you cracked you head against the boat."
Sanji's eyes widened even more and he brought a hand to his still very short hair. It was caked with a bit of dried blood and he winced as he touched the wound. It wasn't that bad, but it still bled a lot and hurt like a bitch. Sanji's eyes searched their surrounding and he found nothing but water. Damn it, he thought. They had to get back to the Sunny as fast as possible. Robin was busy with her powers already, having created a propeller and making slow progress to, somewhere. Sanji bit his plump lip, a growl slipping past.
"Do you know where to go?" he asked Nami.
The Navigator shook her head. "No, but if we keep going towards the setting sun, we should reach the island that the Log Pose was pointing at. I hope we make it there," she said.
Sanji agreed. It was hard out on the Grand Line, especially in the New World. Nobody knew what to expect and you had to be ready for everything. Sanji face-palmed, they hadn't been ready. He looked up at the sky, wondering if the others were alright.
"Do you think we'll get there before nightfall?" Sanji asked, looking at the dark sky in concern.
Nami shook her head. "I don't think so, we have to be careful. We have some food, at least."
She held up the box with bento Sanji had made. He smiled, glad they still had that. Nami handed him a rice ball and Sanji's mind went to Zoro as bit into it. He really wanted to know if the Swordsman was safe.
"Hey, Sanji-kun," Nami said suddenly. "Wanna try being a mermaid?" she asked, holding up a rope with a smile.
Sanji frowned, then realized what she was saying. "You want me to pull the boat?" he asked.
Nami nodded and just that moment, Robin collapsed in the boat, all her energy worn out.
Sanji quickly took the rope and tied it around his waist. "If I sink, pull me up," he said to Nami.
The red head nodded and Sanji stood, going to sit on the edge and imagine the mermaids he'd missed. A long slender tail, beautifully colored and strong. Long hair that floated in the water and a beautiful body. Sanji groaned as the tingling was worse than before. It slightly hurt, but it was all worth it once the feelings were over and Sanji dropped himself in the water. He didn't sink, to his relief, and he didn't choke on water. That was a plus that he really wanted.
Sanji opened his closed eyes and looked around in the water. Everything was very clear and he felt like he could see for miles. He saw the shadow of a large fish, smaller ones darting back and forth between him and the boat. A bubbling mass of volcanic ashes came up from below them and Sanji could see the fish feed off of it. He grinned, wondering if he could swim in All Blue like this. It would be a dream come true. Sanji swam up and peeked his head over the waves, smiling at the red head that was looking into the water in concern.
"Is it alright?" Nami asked.
Sanji nodded his head. "Yeah, tie the rope to the boat and I'll pull us the rest of the way. You can rest up," he said.
Nami nodded and tied to rope to the ring on the underside of the edge. Then she nodded at the now mermaid Cook and Sanji dove under again. He went to swim, but it was heavy. When the boat finally moved, it got easier and they were quickly making progress through the dark of the evening. Sanji wanted to get to land quickly, he wanted to go back to the Sunny. He wanted to go back to Zoro.
Sanji gripped above his heart as it pounded in his chest. A bubble of frustration escaped his lips and he frowned. His heart ached, and he knew what that meant. Even though the stupid Swordsman hadn't done anything for him or had giving him any attention in the last week, Sanji couldn't help but feel love.
He had fallen fast, and he had fallen hard. Impossibly hard.