Connected with Dance (Chapter 1)
EDIT: June 7/2016. Please note that this chapter was written before the current arcs of One Piece where the Vinsmoke Family is revealed. Since I don't plan to rewrite this chapter you can either consider it a AU or maybe consider what Sanji says about his mother to be a lie (Which I might actually write into another prompt later if I can think of a good conversation for it). Cheers
Date
Shion sat peeling and cutting up potato's as she half watched the Chef work his magic.
"Done with those yet?" Sanji asked as he stirred the delicious smelling concoction in the pot.
"Yeah, here." Shion handed over the bowl as she finished the last one.
Sanji took it, his fingers brushing hers. "Go on a date with me." He said at random, his eyes not leaving his creation.
Shion blinked not sure she heard right. "What?"
"Let's go on a date." Sanji half turned, smiling around his cigarette. "You know a date. You and me, on the town."
"Well that's random... but why?"
"Because it would be fun. But if you don't want to that's fine." Sanji turned back to his pot trying not to sound disappointed.
"I mean why me?" Shion cocked her head, she was certainly not the type of girl Sanji usually fawned over. Infact for being a female he seemed to hardly ever notice her. And that was fine by her, nothing against him but Shion didn't like being noticed in general, by anyone.
"Because I like you and want to get to know you better."
The tenseness in his back had Shion blinking again. "You're serious." She realizing, honestly thinking that any second there he was going to start laughing and saying it was a joke.
"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't."
Shion didn't have to think twice over her answer. "Alright." she agreed. "Let's go out."
Sanji had not really expected her to say yes, he nearly dropped his smoke in surprise. "Really? You want to?" he looked at her again.
Shion gave him a smile. "Sure. I like you to so... why not." she shrugged
"Great!" Sanji grinned. "Next port then."
"Next port we can get away from the crew you mean."
Sanji chuckled. "Not as hard as it may seem. Though we shouldn't tell anyone then who we absolutely have to. Or we'll never get away in peace."
Shion nodded in agreement. Standing from the table. "So next port."
"Next port." Sanji confirmed
Luffy bust into the galley then. "Sanji! Meat!"
"No." Sanji deadpanned.
"But I'm hungry."
"You'll eat when the food is done and not a second before. Now get out."
"Captian's orders." Luffy huffed
"My galley, my rules. You're orders don't matter here."
"Meat..." Luffy stepped toward the stove.
"Try it and die." Sanji's shifted it leg getting ready to kick his moron Captain out the door.
Shion slid out the door, holding it open.
"Hey Shion," Usopp greeted "Ummmm, why are you..."
"I said get lost!" Came the cook's angry bellow followed by a certain rubberman flying out the door and across the deck.
"I hand to ask." Usopp facepalmed while Shion closed the door with a grin. "Hey Luffy you ok?" Usopp called down. Luffy groaned and gave a thumbs up while he tried to pull his head out of the wall. Usopp shook his head and went to help his Captain.
"Nice team work. Keep doing things like that and Franky's gonna love you." Nami teased from her place at the railing.
"Well I couldn't save the wall but figured it was easier to fix then a door and a wall together."
Nami shrugged. "Details." The girls watched Usopp and now Brook try to unstick Luffy, not in any hurry to go help.
"Hey Nami?"
"Hmmm.."
"Can I ask a favor, and it has to be kept quiet. I'll be a problem if he,' Shion gestured to Luffy. "Where to find out."
"Sure, shoot."
"Sanji asked me out for the next time we meet port and..."
"Really? That's Great!" Nami hugged her. "It's about time you two did something besides oggling each other when you think no one else is looking." She giggled, continuing. "Oh but that means you're going to need something special to wear... and some makeup and..." Nami pulled back frowning. "Oh no...the next port is tonight. That's not much time." Nami waved over the railing to Robin. "Robin... oh Robin! Come here would you!"
"Ummm... Nami..." Shion had just been wanting the Navigator to keep Luffy well away for the evening.
"Yes Navigator-san?" Robin joined them. "That really is not alot of time." Robin agreed after Nami quickly explained the situation. Come Shion-san," Robin took the purple haired woman's arm. "We have work to do."
"This isn't really..."
"Quiet." Nami took her other arm. "Leave it all to us." she winked
"Leave what to you?" Zoro asked with a yawn as he came around the corner.
"Nothing big." Nami replied. "But if you don't keep Luffy occupied for the next 12 hours. I'll up your interest another 30%."
That had the swordsman fully awake in no time. "Wh...what?"
"You heard me."
"But why?!"
"No reason, now come on Shion." the girls headed off
"Now wait just a minute you..." Zoro started after Nami
"Zoro! Hey Zoro! Get down here and help us." Usopp called up from the deck.
"Remember 30%." Nami cheered back at him as the girls disappeared into the below decks. Leaving the swordsman to mutter about Sea Witch's and Stupid Captains as he stomped down to help Usopp and Brook.
If anyone wondered where the girls were or what they were doing over the next several hours no one was brave enough to go find out after the first incident when Luffy got too curious. Sanji was abnormally reclusive over that time as well and anyone who dared try and bother him ended up with a good hard boot to the face.
"Something weird is going on.' Luffy pouted from his place at the rail, fishing rod in hand.
"With this crew, something weird is always going on." Usopp replied wondering, not for the first time, how he got ropped into babysitting Luffy. One glance at the glowering Zoro sitting behind them reminded him.
"Yeah but I mean weird even for us."
"Just leave it alone."
"But its a mystery!"
"No... no it's not." Usopp quickly tried to derail that train of thought. Luffy and mysteries never went well together.
"We should go ask the girls. I bet they know something."
"Oh yeah, great idea. Remember how well that ended when you tried earlier?"
"Oooooohhhhh right." Luffy remembered. He hadn't even got words out before Nami and Robin and beat him down for disturbing them then he got a third one when Zoro found him. On the other hand though seeing Nami chew out the swordsman for 'failing in his duty' had been really funny. Luffy grinned looking at Zoro.
Zoro's glare hardened. "Try it again and I'll tie you up and drag you behind the ship." he threatened putting a hand on one of his swords.
"You're no fun." Luffy stood. "I'm gonna go ask Sanji then."
"And get a repeat of last time? Are you insane." Usopp shook his head. "Never mind I know the answer to that."
"Well I might get some food at least."
"Oh come on, when has that ever worked? Not to mention he's extra vigilant today."
"I suppose you're right." Luffy sat back down as Usopp sighed in relief. Then... "I wanna go ashore."
"Definately not!" Both Zoro and Usopp barked. Luffy had already gone to shore when they first arrived and by the time they'd caught the trouble magnet the crew had been lucky the locals allowed them to say at all.
Sanji came up out of the men's cabin, dressed in a newly pressed navy suit &tie with a green shirt and polished shoes.
"What's with the shiny?" Luffy asked- Sanji was always well dressed but tonight he'd gone all out.
"I'm hitting the town." Sanji said simply. The plan that he would go on a head with the girls following. Then Shion and Sanji would go off on their own after they all met up. It was the easiest way to ensure certain crew members couldn't interfere.
"What about food?"
"What do you think I have been doing all this time?" Sanji pulled out the key to the galley from his pocket and handed it to Zoro. "I trust you can make all the stuff I have left out last the night."
"Sure." Zoro looked at the key.
"The liqour key isn't the same so don't even try."
"Damn." The swordsman muttered pocking the item.
"I left out enough if you all share responsively it will last the evening." Sanji lit another smoke, "If I come back and find anything besides what I left out missing I will kick your asses into next week." Waving as he left. "Play nice boys!"
A bit later Nami and Robin exited, "Come on, come on." Nami pulled at someone.
"I look ridiculous." Came Shion's disgruntled voice
"You look perfect. Stop being silly." Between Nami and Robin's instistance Shion stumbled out, looking very embarassed.
All three where dressed to the nines. Robin was in a short skirted, shimmery little off the shoulder black dress. Her black hair pulled back with golden chandelier earrings and bracelets. Nami was in a vest like coral pink shirt and a flowing knee length skirt. Her coppy hair loose, log pose still on her arm and white hoops in her ears. Shion, true to her more conservative style was a 3/4 sleeve black peasant blouse with silver flower embroidery and loose black pants. Silver drop earrings and a necklace chain adding the finishing touches. Her hair to was loose around her shoulders.
"Wow you girls look amazing." Usopp complimented, not used to seeing any of the girls dressed up like that.
"Thanks Usopp. That's sweet." Nami smiled
"Are you wearing make up?" Luffy asked, stretching his neck to get in Shion's face. "Wow you really are. Hey guys Shion actually looks like a girl!" He snickered earning himself a whack from both Nami and Shion. "ow." he twitched, going back to his natural posture, rubbing his head.
Robin hid a smile as she directed the other two women. "We're off, stay out of trouble."
After the girls left Usopp and Luffy went back to fishing. "Hey I just had a funny thought." Luffy said
"Dare I ask?"
"What if one of the girls was really going on a date with Sanji but they didn't want anyone to know so they decided to separately."
Usopp and Zoro both stared at him. "I think you're putting too much thought into this." Zoro said calmly. Even if it did sort of make sense and wouldn't be the first time one of the couples on the ship pulled something like that when they wanted alone time.
"Besides there's a problem with that hypothosis." Usopp added
"And what's that?" Luffy asked
"Well we all know Franky and Robin have a thing, and Nami is sort of with you. Since Sanji would never move in on another man's woman that only leaves Shion and she's too boyish to be his type."
"yeah I guess you're right." Luffy went silent and both Usopp and Zoro relaxed. After a moment Luffy jumped to his feet. "I can't stand it! I gotta know for sure." He made to hop of the ship.
"Hell NO!" Both Usopp and Zoro pounced.
"Awwwww, but guys..."
"No means no!" Zoro struggled to keep their Captain down.
"Nami said you stay on the ship so you're staying on the ship." Usopp agreed as they wrestled.
In town Sanji fought to not pace by the fountain they agreed to meet up at. He was good at hiding it but he was nervous and wishing the girls would just get here already.
"Sanji! Over here Sanji!" Sanji turned to Nami's voice.
"Nami-swan, Robin-chawn.' he greeted, putting out his smoke as he walked toward them. "Any trouble?" he asked
"Nope," Nami gave a thumbs up. "Well Robin and I are off, have fun you two." She winked. "Behave yourselves now."
Shion wasn't sure her blush could get any deeper. Sanji looked so relaxed about the whole thing, she on the other hand felt like a wreck with nervousness. "We will.' She heard Sanji reply as he put his arm around her shoulders.
Sanji turned his attention to the smaller woman beside him, taking in the changes. "You look beautiful." He'd never seen her in anything so feminine, it looked good.
"Thanks." Shion smiled, pushing down the nervousness. "it's not too much?"
"Not at all. You look good in women's clothing. You really should wear it more often." He took his arm from her shoulders and offered her it instead.
Shion put her arm through his "You think so?"
Sanji nodded. "I know you disguised yourself in the past but is there really a reason for it now?"
"Not really," Shion admitted. "It's been so long since I really considered what I wore as important." She shrugged. "I haven't really thought of it I guess. But it might be time to start again."
"I'm sure Robin and Nami will be more then happy to help."
"So where are we going?" She asked feeling more at ease.
"Patience." Sanji laughed. "You like to dance right?"
"How did you..." Shion started to asked but then remembered their tango a few weeks back. "Yeah... I do."
"Good. Where did you learn anyway?" Sanji made small talk.
"Self taught mostly, but my dad did allow me a few offical lessons when he found someone who was willing to teach me. How about you?"
"My mother was a dancer but mostly I learned on the Baratie. It started mostly as curisoity and there was always a guest or travelling performer who was willing to amuse the whims of a kid. After a while I found it was a nice pass time and a good work out so I stuck with it whenever I had time. It's not my main passion but it's fun."
"You're mom? You never really talk about your family."
"And here we are." Sanji said not wanting to get into such a touchy subject right now. "Franky and I found this place earlier and the locals said it was the best on the island."
Shion dropped the subject since it was obviously taboo and let Sanji take her and and lead her into the club.
They spent the next couple of hours dancing, laughing and flirting. Eventually it was the time when the moon would be at it's zenith and Sanji figured it was time to enter the second phase of the evening. He pulled Shion from the crowd, "Come on. Let's go some place quieter." he said in her ear.
"Alright but what do you have in mind?" Shion let herself be pulled along as they left the lights of the town and climbed a hill not far from the club.
"Moon gazing." Sanji replied excited.
"Moon gazing?"
He nodded, "The locals assured me the best spot was just..." when she stopped suddenly Sanji turned to her. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing her face. "I thought you did this every night around this time."
"I do but..." Shion bit her lip
"But what?"
"I never realized anyone noticed."
"And that bothers you?" Sanji took her other hand. Holding both loosely, she could leave if she wanted to but he hoped she wouldn't.
"A little I guess. I'm not used to people really noticing me or what I do. It's a little unnerving."
"It's not like it's your easy to read or anything you know. When you're in as close quarters as we are for the length of time we tend to be, you start noticing things about one each other that normally you wouldn't." Sanji explained, "Like how Robin always greets the sun with a book and coffee and Chopper hums when he's grinding medicine."
"Or Zoro get's that little twitch above is right eye right before he looses his temper?" Shion caught on.
"Exactly or how Nami always faces the wind when she's thinking and Brook grinds his teeth when he's deep in thought over his music."
"And you always light a brand new cigarette right before a fight, even if the one you're on isn't finished." Shion laughed
"See you got it now." Sanji returned her smile. "Now want to go see this spot they were talking about?"
"Do I ever." Shion took the lead this time, still not letting go of Sanji's hand.
The cook let himself be pulled along, "Yep straight ahead."
As they came into the clearing at the top of the hill Shion breathed out a small gasped, 'oh my,' Sanji let go of her hand and watched her under his fringe as he lit a smoke. She was a sight to behold now that he really studied her. Completely unguarded in this moment as she took in the sights, spinning and wandering around the lovely clearing. Her eyes wide and a smile on her lips. "Thought you might like it." He said as she bent to smell some of the tropical flowers that dotted the clearing's outline.
"Like it?" Shion joined him again. "I love it! It's breathtaking, just look how the moon turns the flowers silver and sets the ocean glowing!" she gestured her arm out with a girlish smile on her face.
"Yeah, breathtaking." Sanji agreed, not really at all looking at the scenery. This was the reaction he had been hoping to get. The walls the ex-assassin had around her were tall and thick, but Sanji knew under the right circumstances they'd come down. And when they did, the tomboyish, quiet and defensive young woman would blossom into a beautiful lady. Just like now.
Shion looked up at him and blushed under the scrutiny. Sanji caught her chin in the gentle grip as she looked away, she did that alot whenever she noticed someone trying to catch her direct gaze. "Why do you do that?" he asked
"Do what?"
"Look away whever someone tried to look you in the eye."
"I don't..." She started to protest
"Then look at me."
Something in his voice made her eyes snap back to him, and two tone blue and purple met with dark grey/blue. Sanji's fingers shifted so he cupped her cheek. "You have beautiful eyes Shion." Sanji watched as something first surprised, then confused and finally a bit defensive crossed through her gaze. So it had something to do with that did it?
Shion rolled those amazing eyes of hers then, "No I don't." She pulled away. Sanji let her settling instead for pulling out the things he'd had Brook bring up earlier. A picnic basket, a small portable telesnail that would pipe in the music Brook would start playing once Sanji called him, and a blanket to sit on. Shion glanced his way every now and then but for the most part kept watching the ocean.
"Ready." Sanji said as the music started. Shion turned to him giving a small laugh at the scene. Sanji presenting the get up as if it was something off a prize show. "Join me?" he asked holding out two glasses of wine. Shion kicked off her sandles took the wine as she sat on the blanet. "Hope you're hungry." Sanji opened the basket with a flourish as he to sat.
After a small feast of snack size sandwiches and fruit Sanji showed her how to eat the little cherry pastries he'd made. "So I just pop the whole thing into my mouth?" Shion asked as she eyes the bite sized goody in her hand.
"Yep." Sanji put his head on his upraised arm and he lay down on his side beside her.
Shion did as instructed, putting a hand to her mouth as she chewed. "They're juicy."
Sanji laughed, popping on into his own mouth.
"how do you make them?"
"They're fairly easy if you can handle the cherries delicately enough. You pit them, wrap them in dough then bake them."
"Where did you learn all this?"
"The cooking?" He asked. Shion nodded.
"Here and there. My mom couldn't cook worth a damn so I figured out early on if I wanted to eat I had to cook it myself." He shrugged. "but I suppose I had a bit of a natural talent as well. Zeff always said so."
"You mentioned your mom earlier."
Sanji rolled on his back putting his hands behind his head. Sucking in a deep breath of nicotine, holding it a second then releasing the puff of smoke. "Funny." He mused, staring up at the sky
"What is?" Shion asked
"I haven't thought of her in years and tonight I've mentioned her twice."
"Where you close to her."
"Not really. Not that I can remember. I never new my father but she was a professional dancer. I remember we travelled around a lot, that was how I ended up in the East Blue from where I was born in North Blue. I kinda get the feeling I was a bit of a unwanted burden actually, since I was normally left to fend for myself and I don't really have any memories of her being... well a mom of the traditional sense. Since I was too young to be of any real help onboard ship I always ended up in the kitchens of the various ships we worked on. That's where I started to learn to be a chef, found I had knack for it and that it was something I really enjoyed. But then she got sick and after she died I had no where to go and no one to go to. The Captain of the ship we'd been on at the time took pity on me and allowed me to continue working for him. Then a few years later we were attacked by Zeff and well the rest is history." Sanji looked back at her out of the corner of his eye as Shion lay down beside him. "I don't really remember anything about her- not even what she looked like. But I remember some things, like how she'd sometimes let me dance with her or how, when something I cooked was really good, she'd smile at me. I get the feeling those moments were few and far between but I'm really not sure." Sanji continued, feeling an wetness on his cheek. He put a hand to it and realized he was crying... but why?
Shion reached up wiping the tears away. "It's only natural... to be sad." She answered his unspoken question. "Our parents mean something to us even if our memories are only vague ones. My mother died given birth to me, that coupled with the fact she was not my father's legal wife and my eyes is why my people called me 'estragado' or tainted in the world language."
"You're eyes?" Sanji rolled back to his side and looked down at her.
"Among my people eyes like mine, each a different colour, is considered 'demon touched.' It's a rare mark but any born with it are seen as being born under an 'evil' sign. Most are either abandoned or killed. It is a changing belief, but still a belief."
"So how are you here?"
"My father. He was chief and held to none of the old superstitions. So he took me, his illegitimate child, into his household and raised me as if I was any other child on the island. When Wendy's mother- my elder, half sister Kyrie married I was transferred to her house. I was 14 when he died and with him went all the protection he offered. I was too old to just do away with quietly so I was given a choice. I left Crystal Island willingly, or they did what they thought my father should have done the night I was born. Between the two choices you can guess which one I took."
"Kyrie didn't do anything?"
"She tried. But our grandmother, the tribe elder, fore-fronted the whole thing. And she is so well respected that very few went against her wishes. So I left and Kyrie and her family not too long after."
Sanji shuddered, remembering the intimidating old dragon lady they met on Crystal Island back when the dropped off Wendy. "Then everything with the Vice Admiral Tsung happened and you took on the identity of Ion and met us."
"Pretty much it."
"And you're... ok with it? Leaving Wendy there, after all that?"
"It's not like they're evil people Sanji and of anyone I could think of Wendy will be safest with them. She certainly couldn't stay with me- not with this life I lead. Besides she's one of them, the daughter of their beloved Kyrie and as much energy as they put into shunning their outcasts, they also put into protecting their own. They will see it she will want for nothing and that she is trained so she can best take care of herself in the future. They will provide her with everything and more than I ever could. I don't agree with their poltics but I can't fault them their honour and loyalty. Besides I will see her again someday."
Sanji reached down and caressed her cheek. "I don't think I could forgive like that." He said softly.
"Oh I haven't forgiven them." Shion smirked." And if I ever care enough to go back there for longer then a very short visit there are definitely some asses I will be kicking."
Sanji snickered. "I don't doubt it, I may even help for the hell of it." He got to his feet. "But we should probably be getting back to the ship. If Zoro did as told the food and booze will be running out about now and I don't trust any of them to not go raiding."
They packed up and walked back still talking about whatever random subjects came to mind. Occasionally laughing along the way. The ship was pretty quiet as they snuck on board and headed to their bunks.
"So this is good night." Shion said, not really wanting the evening to end. Sanji smirked and kissed her hand, ever the gentleman.
"Good night." He to didn't want the evening to end. But it had to, or too many questions would get asked. He turned to go but Shion didn't let go of his hand
"Hey Sanji." Sanji turned back to her at Shion's voice."Tonight was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. So... thanks" she smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek "We need to do it again sometime." then she was gone into the girls bunk.
"Yeah we do." Sanji admitted to the closed door, hiding what had to be a goofy smile behind the lighting of another cigarette.
"So I was a date. I knew it!' Luffy's voice came from behind some barrels in the hall.
"Would you shut up!" Zoro's voice followed.
"Idiot! If we get caught..." Came Usopp's hushed hiss.
Sanji rolled his eyes. "Oi." He stood over their crouched forms, one foot on a barrel. "Now you moron's wouldn't be so stupid as to spy on the lovely ladies bedroom now would you?"
Two heads quickly shook no. Luffy... was not so brilliant. "You were on a date with Shion, admit it!"
Sanji admitted it alright, with a swift boot to the rubberman's head. "Mind your own business!" He glared at all three of them. "Bed time gentlemen. And one word about what you think you saw to didn't see tonight and you're be chasing your own asses into next month. Got it."
"Yes sir!" Usoppe squeeked, grabbing Luffy and running for the men's cabin.
"What?" Sanji sanpped at the lingering swordsman.
"So... you and Shion." Zoro crossed his arms.
"What of it?" Sanji sneered. "Got a problem with that Marimo?"
Zoro smirked. "Nope, not at all. She's a good woman. Just treat her right ero-cook or someone just might snatch her away from you." with that he was gone
Sanji gave his temper time to cool down then followed. Damn bastard- was that a challenge?
Inside the girls bunk Nami closed the door from the crack she had it open. "Looks like they are finally gone." she sat on her bed. "So... how was it?" she asked Shion
"It was good."
"Just good?"
"Nami, if Shion is not the type to kiss and tell we need to respect that." Robin looked up from her book.
"We didn't kiss." Shion pulled on her sleeping cloths. "Sanji is very sweet. I think we might do it again."
"So it went very well." Robin observed. Nami hugged the purple haired woman with a giggle. "That's great! Just let us know when the next one is ok?"
"Sure. But I do have another favour to ask."
"And that is Shion-san?" Robin asked
"Come clothes shopping with me?"
Both women looked at her in shock.
"What?" Shion fidgeted. "I just think a change is in order that's all."
"You've just never shown I interest in fashion before Shion."
"Well I can't keep dressing like a boy now can I?"
"No I suppose not." Robin smirked
"Ok. Next large port we're going shopping." Nami cheered, her favorite pass time. Shion giggled at her enthusiasm and Robin shook her head, returning to her book.