*BRRRRRRRRRRR*

Sanji threw the butt of his cigarette on the ground, stomping it out with his shoe. He fixed the bangs that hung loosely in front of his left eye, double checking his ponytail to make sure it was in good condition after the run this morning. He shrugged his shoulder to move the strap of his bag into a more comfortable position. Sanji looked around him to see that Zoro had already started heading inside… through the wrong door. Sanji had only been to this school for one day but he could already tell the difference between the gym door and the front door. I've helped him enough today, he can find his own way into this shitty school…

Sanji sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he argued with himself in his mind. I've helped him enough… He's like a lost puppy trying to find his home. An angry, green, lost puppy. I've helped him enough… You could probably draw the guy a map of the school and he would still get lost I've- LOST. Damnit!

"Mosshead! Class is THIS way!" Sanji yelled in Zoro's direction, waving his hands towards the front door. Zoro turned away from the gym and started heading in the direction of the front door, acting as if nothing had happened. He stopped at the front door and nodded in Sanji's direction, raising one of his sharp eyebrows. Sanji walked over with his hands in his pockets and went about leading the way to their homeroom.

"This isn't going to become a regular thing…" Zoro mumbled behind the blond as he followed behind.

"Couldn't agree more Mosshead. Left." Zoro growled but obeyed, following Sanji until they reached their homeroom. He entered the classroom and almost fell backwards when a certain monkey jumped on top of him, wrapping his long, rubbery limbs around him in a snake-like hug.

"SANJI! Can I try some of your food today?! PLE~ASE?!" Luffy gave Sanji an award winning grin that almost got to the blond.

"No way! I saw the way you were yesterday! Food is meant to be savoured and you're just a damn vacuum!" Sanji attempted to shove away the lanky kid in his arms, his grip only tightened on the blond.

"But you shared with ZORO!" Luffy pouted, his lowering lip sticking out and he pushed his thickly framed glasses out of his way. Now that Sanji got a good look at them, he could see they were taped up in multiple spots.

"Zoro got lost on his way to pack a lunch yesterday and wasn't able to bring anything. You had plenty, and I'm sure you have even more today!"

"Oi, shut up! I did not get lost! I just didn't have time to pack anything Shit-Cook!" Sanji whirled around to look at Zoro, practically giving himself whip lash. His body still stuck in Luffy's death grip, he swung one of his free legs around, aiming for the green-haired moron's head. He missed and ended up just flailing around miserably. Zoro huffed a short laugh and pushed past the two, making for his desk.

"Maybe next time, Shit-Cook!" Sanji growled angrily as he glared red hot daggers in Zoro's direction.

"Oh yeah! Zoro! Before you sit down, I wanna ask you something!" Luffy shouted reaching an arm out to grab at Zoro's collar, halting him mid-step. Zoro turned his head slightly and cocked an eyebrow.

"There's this new food stand that's opening up tonight, it looks like one of the ones I see in all your Japanese books with the seats around the bar and everything! It looks just like 'Takoyaki 8' that Keimi works at! It's only a ten minute walk from the school, we should go for dinner tonight!" A small bit of drool escaped from the corner of Luffy's mouth as he mentioned the word food. This kid really likes to eat, huh? How the fuck is he so scrawny?!

"Just like the ones in my Japanese books..? Hey! You've been going through my stuff again you little rat! But I guess I could stand to check out more of the culture, and if somebody'd bringing it here, that's perfect for me." Zoro mused as he tried to turn back to his desk, but Luffy's grip held strong as the wild boy continued the conversation.

"YEAH! Everybody else is going too! Me, Usopp, Nami, Chopper, OH! I almost forgot, SANJI! You should come with us too! I don't know what kind of food they sell yet but I'm sure it'll be great! I hope they sell lots and lots of MEAT!"

"Gah- That's okay Luffy. I gotta work today so unfortunately there's no way you're convincing me to go. And if you're talking about the one I think you are, I'm pretty sure it's not a meat stand." Sanji smiled shakily. Luffy frowned and seemingly scanned the blond, to check for any signs of lies.

"Mmm… Okay, but you have to come with us next time!"

"We'll see, okay?"

"No! You have to come with us!"

"I said 'we'll see' damnit!" Sanji kicked at the teenager wrapped so tightly around his body and finally managed to push him off.

"Oh, is Sanji not coming?"

"Oh Nami~! My beautiful swan I do apologize but unfortunately I can't make it this evening! Maybe we could go out together for dinner sometime just the two of us to make up for it~?" Sanji swooned as the orange-haired beauty entered the classroom, Usopp trailing behind her.

"Sorry Sanji, but it looks like we'll have to put that on hold. Luffy's taking me out to the health food restaurant across from the gym. Right Luffy?" Nami gave Luffy a beautiful smile that, if Sanji could guess, said something like 'You better say yes or I'm gonna kick your ass'.

"Awwww! But I don't WANNA go to a healthy res- OW!" Luffy shut his mouth when Nami punched him hard in the back of the head, leaving a welt the size of a baseball.

"Okay Class, I think that's enough rowdiness for so early in the morning." announced, walking into the classroom late. Everybody found their seats and sat down, giving him their attention and awaiting the morning announcements. He looked tired. Really tired. His eyes were bloodshot and he had a huge coffee in his one hand, his hair looked extremely out of place as well. Usopp raised his hand and Shanks nodded to him.

"Sir, are you hung over?"

"Very good question Usopp. Yes. Yes I am."

"You do realize it's a Wednesday sir?"

"Yes, I'm feeling that right now. Now if you could keep your big nose out of my professional business-"

"Having drinking parties every night until early in the morning is 'professional business'?"

"Exactly, now do your homework while I try and play this off." Perona raised her hand and Shanks sighed dramatically, pointing to her with his coffee-cradling hand and raising his eyebrows.

"Aren't you supposed to read us this morning's announcements sir?" Perona batted her thick black eyelashes. Sanji turned his head slightly to see her leaning back so she could peer around him and stare at the Mosshead.

"Yes, yes I am. But as you can see, miss I can't wear anything but pink and black ruffles, I am too hung over to read a damn word right now."

"And you're going to do it again tonight, aren't you?" Usopp chimed in again.

"You betcha!" Shanks smiled the first smile Sanji had seen him make that morning. It reminded him somewhat of Luffy's smile. Wide and toothy, taking up half his face and shining with bright, pearly teeth. He sat down in his desk and downed what seemed to be half his coffee before he got to typing at his computer, sticking on a pair of reading glasses and squinting at the screen.

Sanji leaned over to Zoro and tapped him on the shoulder lightly. Zoro turned his head and gave a short grunt of acknowledgment.

"Oi, what happened to his arm?" Sanji whispered. Zoro glanced up at his teacher, like he'd forgotten that the man was missing an entire arm.

"Oh yeah, you don't know, do ya Curly-brow? Shanks, Luffy's uncle, took him and his brothers boating out on the ocean one day when he was really young and Luffy fell off the boat. Apparently he hit his nose and got some blood in the water, attracted this huge-ass shark that came and tried to nab him. Shanks jumped in and saved him but the shark got his arm. They were lucky that was all that happened but Luffy's been too traumatized to go swimming ever since." Zoro kept his voice hushed so Luffy couldn't hear him. Sanji's eyes practically bugged out of his head as he listened to the story. A SHARK?! Holy SHIT. Sanji almost wanted to give Luffy a pat on the back or something but it just seemed pointless. He'd only been there for a day so it's not as if he were really in a position to be consoling people and giving them the whole "Everything will be okay" bullshit. That and it was years ago, he wouldn't want it being brought up again, poor guy already had to see it every day. He probably thinks it's his fault.

"Sir! I can read the announcements if you would like!" The kid at the front of the class with pink hair and glasses interrupted Sanji's thoughts.

"Sure Coby, go right on ahead." Shanks continued to work at his computer, taking his hand away from his work only for a moment to wave dismissively. 'Coby' stood up and walked to the front of the classroom, picking the paper with the announcements off Shanks' desk.

"Good morning everybody, today's announcements are…" Sanji zoned out and looked around the class, picking up bits and pieces of what Coby was saying. He tried to remember the names of all the students that sat there, he probably didn't have to, but he would feel rude if he didn't know. Now let's see…

Coby, the kid reading the announcements, sat at the front to the right of the weird-ass blond kid with the double chin, Helmeppo. On the right of Coby sat the lovely Vivi, one of Nami's close girlfriends. Next to her sat her boyfriend Koza. Next to Koza sat the lovely Kaya. In the second row we started with Chopper, Nami, the star of the classroom, sitting to the right of him. Then we had Penguin, the only reason Sanji remembered his name was because it was the weirdest one he'd heard in the whole class. Probably a nickname. Then the lovely ladies Bonney and Keimi~. Behind Chopper was Usopp, next to him and in front of Sanji was Luffy. Next to Luffy sat Law, the guy who was apparently even more of beautiful mind than Chopper when it came to medicine as he was currently acting in place of the school nurse. Next to Law sat Kidd, who's face would practically turn as red as his hair whenever Law would so much as look at him. Something going on there… Next to Kidd sat Killer, another guy with a weird nickname, and he was wearing the same hockey mask he wore yesterday. Sanji was surprised by the lack of rules against that sorta shit at this school but he guessed that he probably had some sort of horrific burn or scarring on his face that made him an exception. Finally, in the last and very back row, we started with Zoro. Next to Zoro was Sanji and beside Sanji was Perona. Her pink pigtails flowed down her shoulder and framed her face perfectly. Next to her were two guys named Johnny and Yosaku that apparently Zoro knew well considering he'd heard them calling him 'big bro' once or twice in the short time he's been here.

"…and swim team auditions will begin on Monday of next week. If anybody is interested, they should contact Fukaboshi, captain of the swim team. That will be all."

*BRRRRRRRRRRR*

Sanji nodded to the group as he got out of his seat, pushing it in behind him. First class he had in the day was cooking with Ivankov. He'd practiced cooking with Zeff at the restaurant since he'd been adopted by him. You'd think that he felt like he trained enough, but Sanji knew that when it came to cooking, there was always more to learn. Every city in every country of the world seemed to have their own specialty dish that they cook, and until Sanji learned every technique to create every meal, then he would never be able to call himself a master chef. Ivankov had apparently been all over the world and seen almost everything in the way of cooking, Sanji felt lucky to be in his class… kind of.

"Oh~! So you came back Candy-boy~! I'm surprised, good for you." Sanji swallowed thickly as he entered the classroom. Glancing at his teacher but trying not to make eye contact. Ivankov's makeup was caked on just as thickly today as it was yesterday. Purple lip stick and thick mascara sat on his face. Sanji was once again surprised that the school let somebody get away with that.

Sanji took his place at the one of the cooking stations, standing next to Keimie. Pretty green locks of hair sat at her shoulders and starfish earrings dangled from her ears. The other day, Keimi had told Sanji that she wanted to be a designer when she got out of high school. She apparently works at her friend's Takoyaki stand in the city, 'Takoyaki 8'. One of the few Japanese food stands that existed in Toronto. Sanji was looking forward to visiting in his spare time, especially if she would be there to serve him.

"Good morning Sanji, how are you doing today?" Keimi smiled sweetly at Sanji as he placed his school bag out of the way of the kitchen.

"Oh Keimi I am doing absolutely wonderful and you are so thoughtful for asking~! How are you doing today my sweet?" Sanji swooned.

"I'm fantastic. Did you hear about that new food stand that's opening not too far from here? I don't work tonight so I was thinking of going and checking it out. Scope out the competition, you know?" Keimi winked and Sanji nodded as he turned to the board, looking over today's recipe.

"I'm sure they wouldn't purposefully take away your business. But I do hope they do well here…"

"Oh! I'd never thought that they might be doing it on purpose! I'll really have to up my game…"

"Like I just said my love, I am sure that is not their intention." Sanji cleared his throat nervously as he thought over how he would make today's recipe. Yesterday, Ivankov had given the class something to cook but not the recipe for it. They had to create their own version of it from memory. It was a simple dish, not even a dish really, it was just chocolate chip cookies. Today it was a bit more complicated, but by much.

Today they were making pie, which gave Sanji a lot to work with considering how many different kinds of pie there were. He guessed that most of the class would be making something simple like apple pie. Not that that was a bad thing, apple pie could be amazing if made right, but it was playing it too safe in Sanji's mind. Of course, the second most popular would be blueberry, blackberry and cherry pie. What most of the students probably didn't know was that 'pie' was a very loose term. 'Pie' included tarts, flans, meat pies, and quiche, along with many other different variations from across the world.

Sanji decided on making Quiche Lorraine. A simple quiche with eggs, light cream, bacon, cheese, and a crust. He didn't want to get too fancy and overshadow all the other students that were also trying hard. He substituted in Canadian back bacon instead of the regular bacon from his recipe. Ivankov seemed impressed with it, complimenting on his use of the back bacon, so Sanji was pleased.

His class after that was business. That went by at a slow crawl, time seemingly slowing down to bore him out of his mind. Most of the class was spent writing notes. There were only so many classes left when he transferred to the school, so he didn't really have much of a choice. It was either Business with or Drama with Bon Kurei. Business would help him out more in the long run anyway, and Sanji had to admit, she was a very beautiful teacher. Strawberry blonde hair framed her pale face and she smelled of soap. She was wearing a business skirt with a red button-up sweater on top, she also had on a pair of high heel boots and her hair was done up in a professional bun.

Sanji frowned as he remembered greeting her yesterday for the first time. He held out his hand for a shake and she coldly replied with 'That's sexual harassment' as she adjusted her glasses. Sanji got flustered, trying to explain himself and apologize when another student had chimed him and told him not to worry about it and that she said the same damn thing every day.

"She's not actually going to file that as a sexual harassment complaint… is she?"

"Oh she is. The school has just stopped responding to it. It's hard to explain how offering her a handshake is sexual harassment, so just don't worry about it dude." One of the other boys from the class raised one of his arms in question.

"That's also sexual harassment."

"No it's not Kalifa! He's asking you a damn question!" Her long-nosed student teacher, Kaku, scolded. Kaku raised the rim of his ball cap out of his face with his thumb, glaring at her. The man kind of reminded him of Usopp, except his nose was more… square. His hair was also orange, not black like Usopp's. Unlike his professional partner, Kaku was a lot more relaxed looking. Sporting a pair of jeans with an orange and blue high-collard sweater on top.

Sanji chewed on the end of his pencil as explained the importance of keeping a spreadsheet of all your finances or something like that, he didn't have to pay attention much since he'd already been doing that. Shit, he really wished he could smoke in school, it would've made class go by a lot easier. He was also starting to get nervous about whether or not things would go well tonight and had been craving since that morning. If this keeps up, I might have to find someplace to smoke at lunch.

*BRRRRRRRRRRR*

"Okay people, don't forget to do the homework I've assigned you and I will see you tomorrow." The students of the class nodded and all filed out the door, some running to make it to the cafeteria before the line got too long. Sanji was grateful that he would never need to worry about that because he always made his own lunches. The only thing he needed to worry about was the line for the microwave. That was relatively short though. Maybe if I'm fast enough I can even get out of the school and hide out somewhere before that Luffy kid can find me. Okay, all I need to do is heat up my soup and get outta the school…

"SANJIIIII!"

Or not.