One Piece:

Valentine, Be Mine

Exchanging of the Gifts

The entire crew had boarded the Going Merry by sunset, after many long gruelling hours of shopping. The men were tried, the women were excited, and the undead were playing the piano. It was a joyous evening, with a meal suitable for King Author and his knights themselves, which had been prepared as the central gift from the blond chef. Loud bantering and laughter filled the Sunny, while stories were shared and friendship strengthened. It was as if the idea of the Valentine holiday alone was enough to inspire the Straw Hat nakama, plus the two new additions, to simply celebrate their time together and express, in their usual subtle ways, how much they really cared for and loved each other.

As their desserts were finished and their anxiety at its limit, the crew was ready to exchange gifts with one another. Some pulled out sacks of gifts, while others placed a few boxes on the table. A few odd balls had nothing to display, but were not ostracized for their empty hands.

"So Hanzatsu, Mumei, how do we exchange our gifts?" Luffy asked with his usual grin.

"How ever you want, Luffy-san." Mumei smiled back, blushing behind her bangs as she thought back to how her gift had turned out. Though she was one of the two with no visual component at the moment, she still felt slightly nervous..

"Well, I guess we can take turns giving them out. Like, if one person hands out all their gifts, then another, until we reach our last person?" Hanzatsu suggested while looking through her sack.

"That sounds good." Nami agreed with a nod. And in turn, the rest followed suit.

"Okay! Who wants to start then?" Hanzatsu questioned loudly.

"ME!" The captain exclaimed, "I want to go first!"

"What could you have bought? Didn't you go shopping for meat?" Sanji implored from the kitchen sink.

"I bought lots of gifts!" Straw-Hat shouted, turning to face the one person who could defend him.

"That's right, Cook-san," Robin guaranteed, "The only meat he had today was the meat you provided for him." With her words, Sanji was satisfied.

Laughing to himself as he gave everyone their gift, Luffy finished with Chopper, who had been to his left, and cheered, "Yosh! Happy Valentine's Day!"

Everyone opened their boxes and blinked. Inside the each box was a single chicken wing with a ribbon that matched the color of the person holding it. After a few seconds, the crew blinked again.

"…Th-Thank you so much, Luffy-san." Mumei giggled, as she closed the box slowly.

"Do you like it? The guy I bought the pork chop from started talking to me after Sanji left, and he told me that this would be the perfect gift for me to give to you guys!" He smiled with such enthusiasm, that no one could find the urge to question him. They all said thank you, some enjoyed their gift right away, then they moved on to the next person.

Usopp made everyone a small little doll-like figurine of themselves out of the materials he had bought in town, Chopper gave everyone a small sample of a fragrance he made for the each of them since he had no idea what to buy, Brooke made a theme for the crew and sang it to them, and Robin purchased small trinkets for the everyone, such as bracelets for the girls and special snacks for the boys. Sanji only offered the girls something extra; each one received a ring which he placed on their hands individually. Franky gave everyone an 'I.O.U. Something Awesome' since he had blanked on what to get. Hanzatsu merely bought what she thought would look as if it suited anyone. For example, she got a new set of tea cups for Robin, a set of new shoes for Sanji. Chopper received a cute red shirt that said 'KAWA' on the front, which means fur, and on the back had to small 'i's that made a smiley face, completing the word 'kawaii'. Mind you, Hanzatsu happened to be a bit of a haggler, so she was somehow able to haggle many expensive gifts for her friends, and her excuse was that she might not be around for Christmas time.

Nami, once it finally became her turn, stood to take the floor, "Now, with Zoro's help, after much debate, I decided that I would take you all shopping tomorrow and let you pick out almost anything you want." Then with a pleased grin, she took her seat. So pleased was she with her gift decision, she ignored the most evil of glares aimed directly at her from two seats away.

"Speaking of Zoro, where are your gifts for us?" Usopp asked with a deeply curiously look.

"I had no time to buy you guys gifts. She had me following her around all day." Was Zoro's crude explanation. Still, Nami smirked, and still, Zoro scowled. Everyone just decided to let it go, and instead, to reclaim a gift, Hanzatsu and Chopper stole a quick one-sided hug from the swordsman. However, with the intensity of his leering, he didn't seem to notice.

"Then that leaves Mumei." Franky reminded from across the room, sitting with Robin and Luffy.

"Um, eto, I don't think my gift is safe." The small black-haired girl said timidly.

"That's okay! I want to see!" Luffy, Usopp and Chopper cheered.

Nervously, Mumei looked to Sanji for help. Seeing his nod, she got up and went into the kitchen, pulled out her wrapped plate from the stove, returned the table and unravelled the wrapping.

"Sugoi! It's…rice crackers?" The crew seemed confused.

Saddened by the reaction she had expected, Mumei bowed her head a little, "W-Well, you see…"

"It's alright, Mumei-chan," Sanji whispered to her and patted her on the head gently, even though she hadn't seen him re-enter the dining room, then looked out over the table, "She intended to make chocolates for everyone, but they didn't work out too well. So, instead, she made something simple for everyone to enjoy. So you all better eat one."

Mumei looked up and smiled a little, "Thanks, Sanji-san…And sorry about your foot."

"It's alright, Mumei-chan. I had a lot of fun with you today." Smiling down at her, he stole one of the crackers before taking his seat. Slowly, everyone took one from the plate in her hands, and all complimented her skill.

"Wow, Mumei! I love these! You need to make more sometime!" Luffy encouraged with true honesty, and a smile to match. Mumei blushed again, but this time, with embarrassment caused by the reaction of her cooking, not because.

"Thank you, Luffy-san. I'm glad you like them. I promise I'll make another batch before we lea—"

"So what were you trying to make before?" Monkey D. questioned while stuffing his face with the crackers.

"Um…uh, oh, chocolates." She answered as she watched him, sweat-dropping.

"Really? Why?"

"Because you're suppose to give out chocolates on Valentine's Day." She answered blatantly.

"…WHAT?" Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Chopper and Franky bellowed, "YOU SAID GIFTS!"

"No we didn't. We just defined what Valentine's Day was," Hanzatsu answered to let Mumei take a rest, "You all just assumed it was another Christmas Day. Sorry."

"…Christmas?" Luffy blinked.

"I'm not getting into that! Go read Christmas Things, or something." Hanzatsu suggested.

"Hu—"

"Anyway! I believe that finishes off our crew's exchange?" The bandana-wearing navigator winked. Though all were weary of that implied, they all nodded in agreement, "Good! Exchange dismissed!"

And with that, everyone went off to do their own thing.

Sweetness

"Wow, that was a lot of fun." Chuckling, Hanzatsu reminisced as she leaned on the Sunny's railing, looking down into the sea.

"For you, I guess. But what's going to happen now?" Mumei asked as she walked toward her.

Shrugging, Hanzatsu answered, "I don't know. I just hope they all have great shoujo moments." Sighing like the fangirl she loved to be, she stood in a relaxing, 'naturally charismatic' pose, anime sparkles surrounding her.

"Right," her friend swear-dropped, "Well, what are we to do? I mean, if anyone does get together tonight…where are we sleeping?"

"This boat is packed with rooms! You could sleep anywhere!" Hanzatsu laughed slightly with surprise, not expecting Mumei to say such a thing.

"Oh! I want the Crow's Nest." The smaller shipwright raised her hand, almost as if she was in class.

"Who says you won't be enjoying Valentine's Day with anyone?" Hanzatsu smirked wolfishly.

Instantly, Mumei blushed, "Han-Hanzatsu-san! I'm not going to be doing anything like that!"

"I just implied that you would be spending Valentine's Day with Luffy. I never said you'd be doing the dirty. Geez, so perverted." Hanzatsu waved her off and turned her head to the side, while grinning away from the frantic girl.

"W-Well…wh-who says you won't be getting anything tonight either?" Mumei yelled with all her shy might, her face still flustered and red.

Surprised, Hanzatsu lost all feeling in her body and turned to face the girl with wide-eyes, "…Wh…What?"

"Y-You could...still hang out with Chopper-san! O-Or maybe Sanji-san!"

"I thought you wanted Sanji to be with Robin."

"Well…I don't want you to be alone, Hanzatsu-san…You might not see—"

"Mumei," she said sharply, yet softly, "Surprisingly, and I mean that in the highest degree, I've been patient. It's just another Valentine's Day. I can wait another few."

"But Hanzatsu-san, the odds of seeing Beckma—"

"I'll see you later, Mumei. G'dnight." And with that, Hanzatsu went off to bed. Frowning as she watched her retreat Mumei sighed with strong displeasure. To see her friend upset over an impossible affair like this really mad her upset too. Hanzatsu always went for what was impossible, such as finding a way to go on land. So, it was in her nature, she supposed. But honestly, the odds of seeing Beckman-san again were one to a million and a half.

Scratching her head, she turned to head off to bed too, knowing Hanzatsu would have already gotten over her shell-shock and already told herself the conversation never happened, she walked toward the Crow's Nest ladder. Reaching the top of the upper deck's stair case, she found herself faced with the Straw Hat captain…

"Ah, Luffy-san! Good night!...Wait, that sounds like you're going to bed…Hi!" She waved.

"Hi Mumei. What are you doing up here by yourself?" Luffy asked as he made his way toward her.

"I was talking to Hanzatsu-san, but she already went to bed, so now I'm going to take my turn on night watch. I've always wanted to stay up in the Crow's Nest. It looks like fun!" Giggling, she walked towards him as well, but more so to get around him. Her fleeting ways her not because she didn't wish to be with him, but she was still flustered by her companion's words.

"Yeah! It is!" Luffy nodded, agreeing whole-heartedly, then looked up at her, "Did you get rid of all your chocolates, Mumei?"

"Um!" Blushing under the cloak of the night, she hid behind her glasses. Whether it had been out of desperation or curiosity, she had indeed saved a piece for the captain, "N-No…Why, Luffy-san?"

"I wanted to try your chocolates." He answered. After seeing her so depressed over her supposed failure, Luffy had felt his usual urge to make his nakama smile, and decided he would prove her wrong.

"Oh, okay...Here." Coincidentally as well, she had stored the only piece within her pocket, wrapped inside a small paper towel, and handed him her attempt at sweets, "This is the one piece left."

Snickering as he unwrapped it, he said, "You called it 'One Piece'." Then took his bite.

Laughing with him, she watched nervously as he chewed so slowly, making a few sounds with a neutral ring to them, before swallowing his bite. Twirling her fingers, she soon became more impatient then nervous, and tried to hold back the urge to yell for his reply.

"…Hmm…" was all he said for a few moments.

"…Well, Luffy-san?" she egged him on, trying to get him to even say one word of an opinion.

"Hmm…Hmm hmm hmm…"

"…Hmm?"

"Hmm, hmm!"

"Hmm, hmm."

"Hmm!" He smiled.

"…Um?" Mumei was confused.

"Hmm…I really like it!" And he stuffed the entire piece into his mouth, smiling as he munched, "It's so sweet!"

Smiling she clapped her hands together with eyes wide, "Really? I'm really glad! It's means so much to me that yo—MMM!" She couldn't say another word as rubber-like lips made firm contact with hers. She stood in a frozen state, completely unsure of how to react. But as she stood still in her shoes, she couldn't help but enjoy the strange yet pleasing touch of the one day to be King of the Pirates' lips. With his own unique texture, it was as if she was experiencing a once-in-a-life time, one-time experience that no one else would have.

But just as she began to sink into the moment, she heard a familiar condensed squeal from behind Luffy. Peaking over the boy's shoulder, she saw a chibi bandana peaking out from behind the stairwell's railing. Instantly, Mumei pulled away, blushing enough to match Luffy's vest, and looked down at the feet that had been planted to the ground during such a romantic moment.

"…Hmm." Luffy said again, making Mumei look at him in despair, hoping he wouldn't start that 'hmm'-ing nonsense, "Mumei's just as sweet as the chocolate!" He gave her his trade-mark grin.

She couldn't believe her ears; Luffy had not only tasted her, but said that she had tasted as sweet as he chocolate. And to be frank, that was the problem with her baking; she had made it too sweet for the recipe, among other things. Almost ready to burst with the blush worth to rival the color of Buggy's nose, Luffy just gave her a thumbs up, "See you later!" and walked away.

"..Ah! Good night, Luffy-san!...Oh…Hm…HANZATSU-SAN! YOU MEANIE!"


A Gift For Miss February

"Robin, wait!" The cyborg called to the fleeting archaeologist. Slowly, she turned her head to face him, her expression gentle yet blank.

"Yes?" Nico Robin asked, blinking once towards him.

"Uh, Valentine's Day isn't over yet." He wondered to himself why he had become so flustered as he looked off to the side for a moment.

"No, it isn't. But it will be within the hour." She replied with her typical kind smile, turning now to face him and clutching her book to her side.

"Ah!" Over-thinking every piece of information his brain could hold about the situation, he began to make himself panic, even into believing that an hour wasn't enough time, "I have something else for you!"

She looked at him with a mildly surprised expression, and tilted her head over so slightly, "Another?"

"Yeah! Um…Here!" Flinging his large arms out from behind his back, he revealed a small, neatly wrapped package in his over-sized hands. She was obviously still surprised, so the gift was right before her eyes. Walking over to him, while he felt his breath escape from him, she took the gift box into her hands, her book now under her arm. He regarded how her slender fingers moved so slowly and carefully to untie the ribbon, noticing how fragile she really looked, especially under the dim lighting. Her beauty once again became painfully noticeable to him, no matter how hard he tried to hide his eyes behind his favourite pair of shades.

He watched her eyes intently, the gift box opening slowly, so he could catch her first reaction. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination or not, but he could have sworn the smallest breath of a gasp escaped her lips. Again, those slender fingers moved at a agonizing slow pace for him as she pulled her gift out of its packaging; holding a lovely purple blouse against her chest. It was made out of pure silk, the crystal-like buttons shining dimly. The sleeves were almost medieval; very fluffy until four fingers-width under her shoulder. A small string-like lace was also connected to the waist area of the shirt, like a wrap-around tie. The colour, in his opinion, matched her style perfectly. He just hoped she agreed.

She looked into his eyes and smiled gratefully, something that was different from her usual, everyday smile, "Thank you very much, Franky-san. It's very…Oh, there's more?" Looking down back into the parcel, she could see a tiny, matching chain, with a fake crystal, she was sure, as a necklace. They were in silence for a while, a silence that worried Franky to the point of wanting to shout something randomly about his awesome taste. Even though, in all honesty, he did have a great deal of help with his present.

Eventually, she looked into his eyes, gave him a look he had never seen before, leaned upward, cupped his chin and kissed his cheek ever so softly. The moment her hand slipped from under his jaw, it dropped. His eyes were too wide to conceal behind his shades and his face was no longer its normally peachy color. She couldn't help but giggle at the sight of his expression and decided to let him regroup his thoughts in private. Making her way to the door, she called back to him, "Oh, and in case you are wondering, my birthday is in fourteen days. Good night, Franky-san."

Oceans Apart, Present Together

"Hey Usopp?" Tony Tony Chopper's squeaky voice called, requesting his attention.

"Huh? Yah, Chopper?" the marksman replied, but continued his work on his last assignment.

"What was it you did today with that paper? The one you paid that man for?" The young reindeer boy had been curious as to why Usopp spent at least half his money on something he could have asked Nami for. It was silly to him, but he believed his friend had a good reasoning for it. The thought had been bugging him, so he spoke aloud his inquiring thought.

"Oh, I just sent a letter home to Kaya and the Veggies." He answered so calmly, not breaking his level of concentration.

"Really?" Somehow, hearing that had surprised him. He knew Usopp was always so kind hearted and caring, but he didn't think he had done something so thoughtful, as he had never done something like before, to the extent of his knowledge.

"Yeah well, I'm sure their all worried, since we haven't spoken in quite some time. They won't be getting for a long while, but I figured, why not at least send one when I can? I know they'll appreciate it." Chopper could hear the smile in his voice. He was never completely told the story of everyone's past, but he was vaguely aware of who those people were, and Chopper knew he was inspired to send it to that lady, Kaya.

"…Hey Usopp?"

"Yeah?"

"…We're going to be here tomorrow too, right?"

"Of course we are. Nami's going to buy us all our gifts."

"…Can you take me to the place where you sent the letter tomorrow?"

"Huh? Why?" Turning to face him now, Usopp lifted his goggles to look down at his friend clearly.

"I know it's going to be a silly idea, but I want to send one to Dr. Kureha too." Smiling with a few shivers, Chopper knew it was something he wanted to do.

"Sure. No problem." Usopp gave him a thumb up and smile combo, then returned to his assignment.

Tony just sat there and smiled for a while, then went off to bed.

Some Kind of Appeasement

Both women heard a knock on the door. Shooting their heads up in unison, they both wondered who it could be. However, since Robin had just entered the room a few moments prior, Nami took it upon herself and answered the visitor's call. Surprisingly enough, it turned out the swordsman was the one beckoning, and the navigator was unable to deduce the reason.

"Zoro? What are you doing here?...You know that the Men's Quarters are below this room, right? You're not drunk, are you?" She tilted her head with a fierce look of wonder.

"I came to let you know I don't need you to buy me anything tomorrow. I don't want a gift for Valentine's Day. Good night." So simply he stated, and just as such, he already walked off. Unable to comprehend what just happened, she closed her room's door behind her and walked off after him.

"Hey!" she yelled, her voice not so high as usual. She saw him look up at her, his hands in his pockets so casually, and somehow he felt he had the right to look curious now, "What do you mean you don't need a Valentine's Day present? Everyone in the crew gave you a gift, so why can't I?"

"Because you'll make me pay for it later." He answered what he was honestly thinking.

"No I won't! It's a present! Besides, you helped me carry my things today, so I have no grounds to debt you on. But if you keep saying ridiculous things, I will!"

"Why are you so angry?" He arched his right eyebrow, adding to his look of cluelessness.

"Because! This is a holiday, Zoro. It's a chance to give gifts to friends and people you care about, like nakama. Asking me not to get you a gift is like asking me not to fight anymore, and you'll do all of it."

"…How?"

"If I don't buy you a gift, I won't be doing my part. I won't be showing my love for you and not only would Luffy not like it, but if I don't buy something for you, I can't buy for anyone else. It's like a fight. If I offered to fight and you told me not to, then you would be doing everything. There'd be no mutual agreement. Besides, remember what I said. My money is mine, but my agreements are your agreements. That means that if I promise to buy everyone a gift, then you get one too!"

"…You're just saying anything so I'll agree, aren't you?"

"Shut up! You're getting a gift tomorrow, and that's that!"

"No. I don't want one."

"Why not? I said I won't debt you for it!"

"I don't want one because I don't want you to buy me something because of a holiday. You've never bought me a birthday gift, so I don't need one for Valentine's Day."

"But you were going to buy one for everyone else?"

"They want one, not me." He shrugged.

"Well, I don't even know when you're birthday is!"

"November eleventh."

"Fine! Think of it as a belated birthday present!"

"It's three months too late."

"Well, too bad!"

They had an intense eye-locked showdown, neither willing to back down from their point of view. However, even if they were both determined to win, Nami had an unyielding will. She was more then dedicated to the idea of buying every crew mate a gift; she had envisioned each of her nakama smiling for her because of this holiday. She had already decided she was going to make each one of them happy, but of course, blasé Zoro had to be the one to contradict her. Thankfully, she had experience with working on the first mate's personality. Sighing to lessen the mood's vigour and rested a hand on her hip. She could see him blinking at her actions from under her eyelashes and smiled to herself inwardly. Maybe sometimes it was good to have someone so easy. And just as she looked up to seduce him, she remembered what her thought was at the beginning of the whole Valentine adventure.

'Which of these males would be the perfect match for me?... Is there really a guy here who's suppose to be with me?'

She froze with a blank stare before him, unable to even think about seduction now. His look of slight concern didn't faze her; she was so lost in her own train of thought. Now as she ventured back to that moment, she realized her reason she couldn't be with Zoro was because he was too easy to manipulate. But, just now, had she not admitted that she enjoyed that part of their relationship? Looking into his eyes with shock written all over her face, she came to conclude one thing:

'I'm suppose to be…My perfect match is Zoro?'

"What? What's wrong?" He leaned forward in the smallest degree, squinting almost as he examined her face. And to his surprise, and displeasure, she back away from him, by one entire step. He did not react to her retreating figure at first, but as he tried again to approach her, even though it was barely an approach at all, she took another step back.

"What the hell are you doing?" Zoro's anger was thick in his tone.

"…I…I…" She didn't know what to say.

"What? What's wrong with you all of a sudden?" Though he was, without warning, now the lead in this conversation, he was uncomfortable with her quick reaction to separate from him. He angered him, he disappointed him, and it was not something he would ever expect of anyone, especially Nami. Truthfully, in the past, he had frightened many people, even into submission to the Marines. But not once had he ever seen Nami try to disconnect from him. They had never formed a deep connection, that was true, but of all the people in the world, why was Nami suddenly afraid of him? Their conversation couldn't have even lead to that response.

Fearing slightly that she was drawing away from him in every sense, he reached out to her, his hand aiming to land on her shoulder, but instead, his entire body was embraced by hers. Immediately, he blushed and hollered, "What the—"

"Please, Zoro…" he heard her whisper against the nape of his neck, her voice so smooth and charming, "Please let me buy a Valentine's Day gift for you."

He was enraged now. Had she just pretended to be afraid of him to put him in a state of weakness? This was below her level. She had never tried to hit him below the belt like that before. It was hateful.

"Nami! Tha—"

"Please," She looked up at him with her eyes gleaming so brightly in the moon light, she looked somewhat defenceless to him, as she was bearing herself to him. Still blushing, having no clue on how to respond, he tried to simply say nothing; a tactic never used between the two of them, "And if you don't," –suddenly her seductress smile returned— "I'll have to convince you by force."

In one quick motion, even one he was unable to cease, she kissed him on the lips with some type of force, and ran back to her room. She didn't turn back to look at him as she went, but she could hear him trying to say something in response, small 'ack' and 'ah' noises being choked upon. Reaching the door, she winked back at him and smiled, "Good night, Zoro-kun." And she dashed behind her door.

Leaning against the plank, she could hear muffled cries of profanity from the deck and giggled. 'If he's the one for me,' she thought with a smile, 'then I have a lot of time to make up for.'

Comfort-tation

"Hanzatsu-san! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were in here!" Sanji yelled fervently, slapping a hand over his eyes and slamming the bathroom door tightly.

"Sanji-kun! It's okay! I'm only hiding!" He heard the unique voice of the water-user pant through the crack of space between the wall and door he left ajared. Peaking through his fingers, he turned back toward the washroom door and pushed it open slowly. Surely enough, Hanzatsu was merely sitting on the floor, holding her knees to her chest. He smiled to see he hadn't invaded her during a personal moment. He was about to apologize for the intrusion nevertheless, but he suddenly noticed the small sparkling in the corner of her eyes.

He remembered Mumei explaining the complexity of Hanzatsu once. Mumei had told him how Hanzatsu had developed a crush on Beckman when she met him at the age of nine and hadn't gotten over her childhood puppy love yet. Apparently, Ben Beckman of Red-Haired Shanks' crew had been her inspiration to reach her goal, and it was hard to detach herself from him, when her crush was all she had. He felt sorry for the young girl, especially since it was still the evening of Valentine's Day. Just the sight of her there made his heart ache, and he didn't want Hanzatsu's heart to feel that way. He knew he would not try to replace Beckman, nor force her to let go of her childish love. All Sanji knew was that he wanted to make her tears evaporate, especially on such a day of love.

"Hanzatsu-san." He called to her.

"Yeah?" She looked over at him with a blank expression.

"Do you want to spend the evening with me?"

"…You pervert! What the hell? You saw my tear and thought I needed sexual comfort? I—"

"N-No, Hanzatsu-san! I wanted to know if you would like to go out with me for the rest of the night. I-In town! N-Nothing…uh-hem, inappropriate." He began to blush at the thought of being alone with Hanzatsu in such a situation, but her voice cut him off before he could go past the innocence of the scenario.

"Oh, okay. But what will we do?" She rubbed her eye really quickly and smiled at him.

"…We could…go for a walk through town, a shopping trip, whatever you want." He offered with a slight smile behind his lowered bangs.

"Um, I guess anything's fine. Usopp upgraded my 'fashionable items', so I'll be good for a couple of hours. I guess we'll just go for a stroll, and see where it leads us. Let me go get my shoes though." Giggling a little with a wink, she walked past him and toward her small cabinet of belongings. She heard his steps heavy behind her and wondered why he was following her so intently. Yes, they were going out together, but why he was so close and stomping worried her. Turning around, she meant to ask him, but only ended up bumping into his chest.

"Ah—Sorry Sanji-kun." She said quickly and took a step back, only leaning on her heel. Suddenly, Sanji pulled her into a tight embrace, resting his head over hers, looking up toward the ceiling. Hanzatsu was shocked, and stayed still.

"S-Sanji…-kun?"

"Happy Valentine's Day, Hanzatsu."

She gasped in silence, only for her ears to hear. It amazed her; Sanji was tagged as the womanizer of the Straw Hats, yet he was here, holding her so gently, like a man would, and was saying what she wished to hear from another. Blinking to try and regain her state of mind, instead of pulling away, she found her arms slide around him and hug him in return.

"Thank you, Sanji-kun. You too."

Letting her go with a tint of regret, he wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled, "Now, shall we, Hanzatsu-san?"

"Yeah! Who needs shoes?" She said with sarcasm, but laughed whole-heartedly.

"Great. Anything you want, it will be on me."

Author's Notes:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBIN-SAN! From Mumei, Hanzatsu, and the whole Mugiwara nakama:D

Christmas Contest Winners!:

I am sad to say that I only received two entries. If I am missing your entry, please let me know. As such, the winners are:

2nd Place - -x-waterlily-x-

and in first place, none other than…

1st place – cherrichik!

Congradualtions to you both! I will be notifying you both within the next few days to make sure you are aware of this. We will need to keep in contact so that I can have information on your characters.

AGAIN! If I didn't receive your entry, please let me know.

Blessed Be!