-Sigh- I have no excuse. 6 months. I'm so sorry guys. Tho I did have summer term in college. Do I get a little bit of sympathy? No? Ok, -bows- I 'm veeeeeeeery sorry.
One or two or you seem put out about me not including the Kuro Arc . Sorry , I just find Kuro to be a boring villain. He's cool yes but he's my least remembered villain of the crewmate-joins arcs and to be honest I really wanted to get to Sanji! This chapter was so hard to write! I wanted to get Sanji right and have it be funny. I think I might have failed . I hope it's not too choppy and any grammar mistake so I can go back and fix them.
Just to reiterate there will not be any romance unless otherwise requested by the majority of my readers. Any romantic implications are for the sake of the story.
ALSO! You have the very wonderful Pen-Women to thank for this chapter, since she's the one who got my creative juices she even looked over it for me! I bow before her awesomeness and helpful ideas again! This chapter is dedicated to you!
Warning: I made a lot of boob references in this chapter because I wanted to. Be prepared for it.
Disclaimer: - Insert clever Disclaimer here -
-Sister Luffy-
Nami stared at the human-sized crater on the wall of their deck in despair.
They hadn't even had the ship for all of two days and it was already damaged.
"Oi!" she snapped at the dazed attacker. "You're reimbursing us for that."
The attacker merely groaned in response as he painfully detached himself from his crater and cradled his head in his hands.
"That hurt." He whined.
Usopp floored by his captains easy defeat of the intruder, puffed himself up ." You're damn well it hurt and there will be more where that came from if you keep busting up our ship." Beside him Luffy nodded.
The intruder turned venomous eyes on Usopp who 'epped' turned , hugged Luffy and buried his face into her sholder, shaking.
"Don't try and turn this on me!" he snapped. "You're the one who attacked us first!"
"What are you talking about!?" Nami growled. "We did not!"
Whatever the stranger was about to say was cut off by a loud yawn.
A blearily-eye Zoro made his way on deck and glared at his noisy crewmates.
"What the hell is going on out here?" he said groggily looking from Luffy who was patting the still shaking Usopp's head, to the livid looking Nami. Said red-head turned burning eyes on him.
"What's going on is that we just got attacked ,you idiot." She snarled pointing at the now very still intruder.
Zoro stiffened. Could it be? "Joh-omph!"
The rest of Zoro's sentence was cut off as the stranger throw his arms around Zoro .
"Aniki!" Zoro felt his eye twitch.
"Johnny I told you not to call me that." The captive swordsman growled as his crew looked on in astonishment.
"You know him?" Nami asked a little freaked out by the whole thing. Zoro sighed.
He was my old hunter partner. Him and Yosaku. Speaking of which, where is Yosaku? " Zoro asked , surprised. You could never find Johnny without Yosaku. To Zoro frustration and annoyance Johnny only hugged him tighter and began to sob.
"Oh Aniki!it's horrible! Horrible."
Usopp finally looked up from the safety of Luffy's shoulder.
"What's so horrible?"
As it turned out what was so horrible was that they had indeed attacked Johnny who had been tending to a gravely sick Yosaku on a rock Luffy and Usopp had used for target practice.
The two teens had been suitably horrified.
"We're so sorry!" the two cried bowing low before Johnny.
Johnny shook of their apologize .
"IT's ok . " He said smiling sadly. " It's not your fault. Maybe it would have best if you killed him then he could at least be out of his misery."
The man broke down into tears and threw his arms around the closest person , who just so happened to be Luffy. There was a small hitch in his cries but it only lasted a second as he pulled the girl tighter and cried into her shoulder. Luffy looked at him sadly and patted his head.
Nami rolled her eyes at the theatrics.
'Men…' she thought irritably.
"Usopp!" she barked, startling the noisily crying teen.
"Yeah?" he said fearfully.
Nami pointed towards the kitchen. "Go get the barrel of limes. Now." Usopp nodded quickly.
"Yes ma'am!" and he was gone.
Zoro who had been watching his friend in silent worry raised an inquisitive brow at the navigator, but she just rolled her eye, irritated that she was the only one who had caught what was wrong.
Though she was more so upset over the fact that Johnny was still hugging Luffy tightly. Did he think she couldn't see how his hold got increasing tighter around the younger girl?
She walked over to him and clocked him hard around the head, causing him to yelp and release Luffy in favor of holding the back of his head.
"Stop crying!" she growled menacingly. " It's not that serious."
"Nami." Zoro said warningly.
"It's just scurvy!" the red-head cried in exasperation. " The diseases that only attacks those without common sense.
Luffy , Zoro, Johnny, and the now returned Usopp, stared at her dumbly before they tilted their heads to the right in unison.
"Scurvy?" Nami slapped her forehead.
"Exactly." She waved a hand at Luffy and Usopp. " Just feed him the limes and he'll be fit in no time."
Johnny stared at Nami for a few seconds before leaping toward her, arms opened wide.
"Oh thank you! Aneki. Thank y-y-yo-o-ou?" he stumbled , and his arms fell to his side as her venomous glaze turned to him then shot to Luffy then back to him.
He got the message.
Keep your hands to yourself or I will break them.
-I'm the captain-(this one was inspired by Pen-Woman's idea)
"I am!"
Full-body blinked in surprise. When he had asked for the captain he'd thought of the typical ugly brutish man. However, this captain was not only a girl but a cute one. An extremely cute one.( unlike that Alvida-shudders-) Full-body took a moment to appreciate her clothes, admiring how well her tank top fit and the gracious length of her shorts. The naval office stole a quick glance to where his date had retreated and smirked when he saw she had returned to her room.
Zoro, who had been watching the lieutenant leer at his captain with narrow eyes , tensed dangerously when the bastard smirked lecherously and leaned over the side of the ship.
"Say Cutie, why don't you ditch that dinky little dinghy and come ride a real ship." The lieutenant purred putting special emphasis on ride.
This had Usopp tensing too, as he was the only one, besides Zoro, who was close enough to hear the lieutenant speak.
'That is no way to speak to a lady!' He thought angrily. 'especially not my friend.'
While Usopp fumed silently, Zoro was steaming.
'Why do these low-lives keep hitting on my captain!?' he thought furiously, as his hand slowly inched to his katana.
However, before either Usopp or Zoro could defend her honor Luffy's voice rang across the space, filled with disgust.
"You want me to join the marines!?" she spat , her nose wrinkled in disgust. "NO WAY! Are you stupid!? I'd never join you losers!"
Usopp jaw dropped and closed just as fast as the sharpshooter bit his lip to keep from laughing. Zoro took his hand away from his sword with a smile. How he loved his captain's obliviousness sometimes.
Meanwhile Full-body was staring at the glaring girl in disbelief.
She had rejected him. Not only that but she had called him a loser. HIM!
No one insulted him! NO ONE!
"SINK IT !" he yelled to a solder standing nearby. "SINK THEIR LITTLE DINGHY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA!" And with that he turned and stomped inside the where his date was so he could go and to get something to fucking eat.
If only he had stayed outside he would've gotten at least a glimpse of what he could never have, much like his very satisfied solider or the entirety of the 'little dinghy', that is until Nami pulled Luffy's shirt close.
-Sanji-
Sanji couldn't stop the genuine smile that spread across his face in the wake of Gin's compliments. There was nothing more satisfying for a cook than to hear someone enjoyed their food.
A delighted chuckled broke through his preening and the Cook and Bum both looked up towards the source.
A small red hint made its way to Gin's dark cheeks as he stared into the sparking eyes of an extremely cute girl.
Luffy, who had watched the entire exchange, sent the now stiff cook a beaming smile.
"That was really cool of you suit-guy. I want you on my crew! "
Sanji stiff form began to shake. Warning bells started to sound in Gin's head and the pirate hastily crawled a few good inches to the side.
'Not a second to soon either.' he thought as the cook erupted.
"Oh love." He crooned his eye now the shape of a heart. "To think one such as I, who lie destitute and alone, forced by an unholy curse to spend my days on the miserable seas of a men-filled hell should be presented such a wondrous gift." The lanky cook sank to one knee , one hand clasped to his heart , the other raised towards a bewildered Luffy. "To be able to gaze upon such divine beauty, such sparkling radiance, such adorable magnificence. My red-clad siren, your smile sets my heart aflame."
Gin could only stare in disbelief as the suave, confident cook he had just been talking to turned into a love-struck fool in less than ten seconds. And he wasn't the only one…
Luffy to was staring at the heart-eyed cook taken aback by his abrupt change in demeanor. And Luffy being, well, Luffy didn't even process half of the things the cook said. All she saw was the cook acting in a very strange way. And strange, to her, was always funny…
The heart in Sanji's eye tripled in size as his newly found goddess threw her head back and laughed loud and long. This gift, this precious laugh was directly caused by his actions. The dewy blonde felt his heart swelling with happiness, why he felt lighter than air…
Gin had seen some very strange things in the Grandline but seeing the blond cook turn into a mini tornado and swirl across the deck defiantly topped most of them.
In the back of his mind he was already scheming to steal the boat, but now he had to do it without hurting Sanji. He glanced at the girl who was now laughing even harder at Sanji's antics. His battle commander mood immediately kicked in when he noticed her red tank.
Too easy. If worst came to worse all he had to do was slash her shirt. That would take care of Sanji , it would defiantly encourage his troops , and he would even get a small treat for his troubles. He glanced at the girl again. Well, maybe not small….
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Sanji couldn't believe his luck. His siren, his goddess ,was sitting above him chatting ,looking so radiant in the afternoon sun. He had come off his high not too long ago and now sat reclined on the deck's railings , a few small hearts still floating around him.
Gin was watching the cook with wary eyes, concerned as to whether or not emitting heart should be treated , but the lass did a good job of distracting him. It had been a while since he had been so close to a woman, and her form-fitting clothes were defiantly not helping his concentration.
But, at least he was not emitting hearts.
"So what do you say?" Luffy chirped snapping both men out of their dazes. "Want to join my crew.'
Those word sobered Sanji's mood, but did not completely destroy it.
The blonde heaved a heavy sigh.
"I love to." Oh how he'd love to." But alas fair maiden, I am unable to leave." He felt tears spring to his eyes at the thought of denying his blessing anything, but a debt was a debt.
The blonde opened his teary eyes and froze when he saw Luffy only mere inches from his face. His eye returned to its heart shape, and Gin groaned. He did not want a repeat.
"No way!" the girl exclaimed. "I refuse!"
The eye heart broke and shattered. Did she refuse him!? Had he just screwed up his blessing!?
"I refuse your refusal." the girl huffed straightening and crossing her arms "You're a good cook and you're joining my crew . That's that!"
The heart reformed and shined with new vigor. OH, how badly she wanted him!
"My goddess begs me to be with her but I cannot!" Sanji cried, clutching his heart in despair." Oh, is this a punishment God has given me because I fell in love with an angel!?( AN: bet you can't guess where that's from).
"What do mean you can't !" Luffy fumed "Why not!?"
Sensing that the girl was starting get angry, Gin felt the need to step in.
"So you're a pirate lass?" He asked, successfully diverting her attention from the swooning cook. "May I ask where you're going?"
The girl beamed at him and immediately launched into her plans of grand adventures.
(Later, after everything was said and done he would curse the talk about the Grandline driving his brilliant plan out of his mind)
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Luffy bounced back and forth on the balls of her feet as Zeff rummaged through his drawers.
After the funny Gin guy had left the old chef had immediately called her to his rooms. Strangely enough, her soon-to-be chef had pitched a fit sprouting something about 'not allowing her to go anywhere unsupervised' and something about 'protecting her innocence from the evil perverted crap-geezer' which had ended in a fight which the blond had lost.
The blonde had held himself quite well against the old man though. Luffy hummed happily to herself. Sanji was nice, funny, a good cook, and strong. He would make a wonderful addition to her crew. She mentally patted herself on the back for a job well done.
Meanwhile, while Luffy was preening to herself, Zeff ,who had finally found what he had been looking for, stared at the objected in his hand, contemplating the merits of his idea. He was about to make a very calculated risk, one that could backfire in a big way. Yet the benefit would be magnificent.
The old chef looked around toward the bouncing girl, then back to object, then back to the girl then back to the object.
He wavered as he stared at the object, then back to the girl. He noticed when she bounced what bounced with her.
He made his decision.
"Here." He said gruffly as he handed the girl the object.
Luffy wasn't sure why she was getting a gift but she beamed at the cook and eagerly opened the white box to see that inside there were…
Clothes.
She pouted. Why did people like to give her clothes? Why not meat, or bugs, or marbles. Those were fun gifts.
She shot Zeff a sullen look.
"I don't like this gift." She said bluntly. Zeff glared.
" It's not a gift!" he growled. "It's a uniform. "
Luffy blinked. "Oh " she said. "What do I do with it?" Zeff closed his eyes in barely contained irritation.
"You put it one." Zeff said through gritted teeth. This shouldn't be this difficult.
"Oh! OK!" She reached inside for the outfit but stopped dead. Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed contents of the box and she let out a small growl. She know that shape anywhere.
She looked back up at the chef with burning eyes. "Is this a dress?"
Zeff blinked, shocked at the girl's abrupt change in mood but shook his head.
"No, it's a skirt." Luffy's eyes narrowed into slits.
"Are you sure." She said seriously. Zeff let out a frustrated growl and threw his hands in the air.
"Yes, I'm sure now just put the damned thing on!"
"Okay!" she chirped, her mood doing another 180 upon learning he was not trying to get her in a dress. Skirts were not dresses, so skirts were okay. She had already unfastened two buttons when a indignant shout of 'STOP' stilled her hands .The straw-hatted girl sent the flushed angry chef a bewildered look.
"What? " She asked honestly confused. " You told me to put it on."
The chef growled at the oblivious girl. "Wait until I leave at least. Great seas lass, have you no shame?"
Luffy blinked." Shame? What's that? Is it good?"
Zeff racked a hand over his face , defeated. "Just put on the uniform." He said tiredly, before exiting the room. He walked down the hallway and leaned against a wall and sighed warily.
In all honestly he shouldn't be so bothered. He scowled. Was he going soft? Who was he to talk about shame. Pirates had no shame. He knew that .After all he had seen girls with less shame in his past and the lass was very cute, with a generously large bosom.…
Zeff suddenly cursed . What the hell had he been thinking? This damn domesticated life had changed him and cost him a rare treat.
Grumbling to himself, the old man hobbled down the hallway with a scowl. If he had any luck his plan would work and makeup for his missed opportunity.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Nami slammed her glass to the table with no small amount of force, causing Usopp who had been wolfing down some pasta to jump and choke.
Ignoring the chocking sharpshooter , the fiery red-head shot a furious gaze at her green-haired crewmate.
"Will you stop!?" she snapped at the startled Zoro. "You're annoying the crap out of me."
Zoro, who had been absentmindly tapping the table with his finger for the past minute, scowled at the red-head , but relented. Instead, he crossed his arms around his chest and leaned back on the legs of his chair, a sullen look on his face.
"She's been with that chef for a long time." He growled reaching over and slapping a rapidity turning blue Usopp on the back. "Our first priority should be finding out what's going on, not eating lunch."
Nami rolled her eyes. For someone so tough, Zoro could be so overprotective.
"I'm sure Luffy's fine." She said dismissively, as she handed Usopp a glass of water. "You worry too much."
Zoro narrowed his eyes the nonchalant navigator. "Can you blame me?"
Nami opened her mouth, but then closed it. No, when it came to Luffy she really couldn't.
However, any further conversation on the matter was halted as a small commotion broke out across the room.
Usopp wiped the last few tears from his eyes and cast a wary glance to where a series of exclamations were sounding. He really hoped it wasn't another incident like earlier. He preferred to eat his food in stress-free conditions, that and he really didn't want to choke again.
"Wow…"
"Kawaii." Nami blinked .Hmm that didn't sound like the start of any kind fight she's heard.
"Aww she's sooo adorable. I want to hug her!" A woman shrieked. Zoro raised a brow and shared a look with Nami. The two craned their necks to see what was going on but the grand staircase in the middle of the room blocked their view.
On the other side of the room Luffy was having the most bizarre experience of her life. For one everyone was looking at her like a bunch of weirdeo's. The girls were looking at her in a stupid dreamy sort of way. The way Makino used to look at her whenever they were shopping and they walked past a clothing store. The guys on the other hand…..
Well, they looked kind of hungry, which really confused her. If they were hungry, why weren't they eating?
"Hey Miss, I'm done!" A male shouted out suddenly. A redhead sitting across from him threw him a dirty look.
"No you're not!" he snarled pointing at the other's plate." I still see pees on your plate. Don't call her over if you're not done. It's rude! " He then turned and shot Luffy a winning smile. "I, on the over hand , am most defiantly done!" Pees guy growled at him.
"You ass! If I say I'm done, I'm done!"
"You still have pees!"
"I hate pees!"
"Then why the hell did you order them you stupid shi-" The rest of his sentence was cut off as his friend tackled him to the floor.
Luffy watched the two grapple on the floor in interest before her attention was grabbed by a bluenette waving her over.
"Oi, I'm actually done over here."
"So am I !"
"I actually want to order, so I'm more important!"
"You son of a- what the hell does that mean!"
"You're so cute! Would you like to be my new daughter?"
"MOM!"
More than a little disturbed Luffy hurried from what she had now deemed the crazy side , never once looking back.
Nami felt her eye twitch as yet another fight, or at least a very small scuffle, broke out on the other side of the room.
"Do you think it's another pirate?" Usopp asked warily giving the food a longing glance before shaking himself roughly. He would not eat until he was sure there would be no more surprises.
"I doubt it." Zoro murmured his eye narrowed in confusion. His sharp ears had picked up the entire conversation ,but for the life of him he did not know what to make of it.
That is until about a second later-
Zoro gaped.
Usopp chocked, air this time.
Nami squealed. Actually squealed.
There was their captain , their Luffy hurrying across the room , a disturbed look on her face. But that wasn't what caught their attention, no it was more of what their captain was wearing that caught their eyes.
Luffy, who had heard Nami squealed turned to where her Nakama were siting, staring at her in a daze. Her expression turned from freaked out to happiness to shock and then finally settled on anger.
She stomped over to their table, her hand balled into fist at her sides, and glared at them fiercely.
"I can't believe you jerks are eating without me!" She yelled, enraged at their thoughtlessness.
The shout seemed to knock them from their daze and Luffy gasped as she was caught in twin vice hugs.
"YOU'RE SOOO CUTE!"Usopp and Nami squealed in unison. Poor Luffy could only blink in shock as her crewmates tried to squeeze the life out of her. Meanwhile the other diners could only stare in jealously.
Nami drew away first(Dragging Usopp with her so she could get a better look at the other girl) and clapped her hands together in girlish glee.
"Oh, you're so adorable!" she gushed.
And indeed she was dressed in a waitress outfit of white and blue, the top, white and flowing with poufy sleeves, the skirt a navy blue, lined with lace and stopping mid-thigh. She still wore her straw hat which surprisingly didn't take away from her cuteness, but accented it . Over the uniform she wore a white fluffy apron with the Baraties Jolly roger. Nami face crinkled in disgust as her eyes landed on the choice of footwear. On her feet she wore a pair of lacy socks and gray Mary Jay's( or the OP equivalent).
"Gray!" Nami cried dismayed. "Black would suit it so much better!"
Usopp waved a dismissive hand at the red-head. "Aw, leave it . She still looks cute."
Nami scowled at him" I'm not saying she doesn't . I 'm just saying black would pull it off so much better . I have a pair on the ship. Oh, but those shoes would match this adorable outfit I have . Oh so many possibilities. The next town over we have to go shopping!"
Luffy grumbled as she watch Nami slowly begin to turn into Makino. What were with people and taking her shopping for clothes. First Makino, then Ace and Sabo, now Nami!? If it wasn't grocery shopping than she wasn't interested.
"Zorooooo." Luffy whined to her first mate." Make her stop!"
The utterance of his name finally snapped Zoro ,who had been the only one left staring , out his daze. The swords-man jerked his head to the table and murmured something about how Nami should stop being a pain.
The red-head snapped out of her shopping plans and glared at the swordsman, only to see him staring at the table.
Nami suddenly turned very mischievous.
"Ne Zoro?" she purred, sharing a look with an equally mischievous Usopp. " What do you think of the captains attire?"
Zoro head snapped up and his mouth opened and closed giving him the appearance of a fish.
"Yeah , Zoro." Usopp snickered. "Inquiring minds want to know."
Zoro shot him a look that clearly said.' I could break your neck.' But Usopp only smirked at him. He'd been hanging out with Nami to long. Dammit.
"Well, Zoro." Nami said stiffly, trying to hold in her giggles as the Swordsman face took on a hunted look. "I'm sure Luffy wants to know what you think of her outfit."
Luffy honestly didn't, but something about Nami's face told her not to say that aloud.
"Uh, " Zoro said looking anywhere but at Luffy. "It's uh,-" not cute. Swordsmens did not find things cute! "It's, it's-"
"A MASTERPIECE!" The straw-hats, except Zoro, who scowled, jumped at the unexpected voice .Sanji floated over to where Luffy was standing circled her and then landed on one knee before her. "The flowing white of innocence, the deep blue of passion, combined upon your lovely visage sets my soul alight!"
While the other straw-hat shared bewildered looks, Luffy smiled down at the blonde.
"Hey, Sanji meet the rest of our crewmates."
Nami blinked at the stiff chef, staring at her." Our?"
Luffy nodded happily. "Yep Sanji's going to join our crew and be our chef!"
Nami smiled . "You got a Baratie chef! Good job Luffy!"
Before Luffy could respond Sanji had flung himself on the floor before Nami, holding a rose before her.
"OH! Beauty of beauty , could it be!" he trilled." Has my blessing lead me to this fair goddess. Such fiery loveliness, such explosive splendor. My dearest Mellorine! " Nami raise a brow to Luffy who shrugged .
"Um.."
"Oh such epic tragedy!" He cried hiding his face in his hand. " The obstacles between us are many and great! To think that I would be allowed to glaze upon your divine visage but unable to grant your wish. I do not deserve this."
Nami looked from the despairing cook to her captain. "What is he talking about?"
"Well, I want him to be our chef but he says he can't join the crew- but-"
"Good." The icy tone of Zoro had all the occupants at the table turning toward him. Nami felt herself smirk as she guessed what must have pissed of the swordsman so bad.
The first mate was sipping his water , a dark scowl on his face. Sanji, who had been snapped out his dreamy state, sent the green-head an glare as icy as Zoro's tone.
"You got a problem marimo." He sneered, channeling his thug-bashing mood.
Zoro set his drink down with a 'cluck' and matched the cook's glare with one of his own.
"Yeah , we don't need an idiot messing up the dynamics of the crew." Sanji's eye narrowed.
"One apparently is enough."
Zoro glare turned glacier as blue fire wrapped around him. Not to be outdone, Sanji's eye burned as orange fire wrapped around him. The straw-hats watched as the two energies meet in the middle, creating electric sparks.
This was the start of a horrible rivalry.
( Later, at the ended of the day as Zeff collected the stacks of Berries of the tables Luffy waited(which she had failed at) and some she hadn't, he couldn't help but smirk. It was good to be a financial genius.)
-The girl in the Straw-hat-
In just a few minutes, Luffy's world had tilted on it axis. the betrayal of Nami( which Luffy obviously didn't believe) had shook her but this- nothing could compare to this…
Luffy could only stare in horror as , her friend, her first mate fell into the ocean.
"ZOROOOOOOOOOOO!"
She barely registered the matching cry from Usopp, or the twin splashes from Johnny and Yasako as they dived into the ocean to retrieve their brother. No, she only had eyes for one person. The bastard who had dared to hurt one of her Nakama. The time for holding herself back was over. He was going to pay.
"AAARRRRRGGGH!" Mihawk blinked at the enraged cry, automatically shifting to the side as a fist shot past his face. His eyes widened a fraction as they connected with the approaching red blur or more specifically her straw hat.
'Well well, this is interesting.'
Effortlessly dodging the girls punch, Mihawk threw out an arm and caught the girl around the waist, inconsequently saving her from taking a rather nasty face-plant.
"Can't have you hurting yourself, my dear." Mihawk drawled giving the girl a droll look. "That doting fool would have my head if you got so much as a bruise in my presence."
Not pausing to take whatever he said into account Luffy immediately shifted in his hold, aiming another strong punch at his face. Mihawk caught her fist with a sigh and hiked her arm into the air, incidentally bring her body flush against his , while his other arm ,which was secure around her waist ,held her other arm fast to her side.
"OI YOU!" Came an enraged shout to their left. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OFF OFF HER!"
Naturally Mihawk ignored whoever it had been, focusing his attention on the struggles of the incensed girl in his arms.
"Let me go, you bastard!" Luffy seethed, glaring at the swordsman with burning eyes.
"Now, now, calm down." The elder said calmly, looking all the while like he had not just cut down her friend. "There is no need for you to be so hostile. I left him alive for you."
Luffy's struggles ceased immediately. The straw-hat girl craned her head to side just in time to see Johnny and Yosaku surface with Zoro between.
"Zoro!"
Mihawk allowed the girl to break out his hold with a only a slight hesitation . He watched silently , a smirk growing on his face as the boy made his captain a pledge and the girl accepted with a laugh.
'How very interesting.' He later thought as he sailed away his words to the swordsman still heavy in the air.
Those children…. He could now see why Shanks was so taken with that girl. She was something else. Funnily enough, he could feel a spark of what the red-haired fool felt himself in regards to the boy. The boy had skill , drive and ambition , unlike the other fools who had challenged him. It would be … interesting to watch him grow. Him and the girl.
Plus he finally had something he could use against that damned red-head.
Oooooh, how wonderfully it would be. But patience. Patience. He would use it soon enough.
A few fish actually averted their path when they heard the sinister laugh emmiting from the ship they had been swimming near.
-Cherished-
Sanji watched the boat that held Gin and his crew sail away with a melancholy look.
'That twice damned idiot.' He thought fondly. 'I'll never see him again.'
A loud snore brought his attention back to the girl cradled in his arms. He stared in wonder at the girl slight frame , trying to figure out how it held so much power. This small girl who not only saved his life , but the life of his crew , his guardian and his ship. This small frame had taken on a man three-times her size and had not faltered under the onslaught but instead had grown stronger with each hit.
Contrary to popular belief Sanji was not just a dopey fool when it came to women. No, he treasured them, all of them. Each girl in his eyes was a unique and special gift, one that should be cherished and protected. But this girl ,while the most unique and special, was not someone who needed his protection ,( at least not the way the others did) this girl ( as well as the gorgeous redhead), needed to be cherished and he was the best guy for the job.
Unconsciously he held the young girl close to his chest , rivaling in the fact that she was still here.
It was only then that the relieved blonde noticed, do to the equal dampness of their clothing, that she was missing a very important barrier….
And then he was airborne.
Zeff , who had been watching the change in his ward with a small smile, blinked, surprised at the sheer force the nosebleed.
"Huh," he mused as he took in the sight of his charge lying in a pool of his own blood. "Never seen one of that magnitude before."
With a sigh, the old man heaved the unconscious girl into his arms and carried her towards their ship's infirmary. It was better this way. It was much too soon for the boy ( and the other chefs for that matter) he probably wouldn't have been able to survive the task of tending her wounds.
"Mellorine." Came the soft sigh from the puddle.
Zeff rolled his eyes.
He really hoped that those nosebleeds did not become a regular problem in the future.
-Goodbye-
Sanji watched as the Baratie grew smaller and smaller until it became a dot in the distance.
The last of his tears had long since dried , but the pang in his heart remained.
He turned to where his cutie Luffy was patting the head of a still crying Yosaku and resisted the urge to chop the bastard up for clinging to Luffy.
Barely containing his ire the chef went into the minute kitchen to check the food stocks. A white box on top of the cabinet caught his eye and as he slowly slide it down a small note fell to the floor.
Curious, he picked the note up and read it.
'Just in case you get lucky, crap-kid.'
Even more curious the blonde peered inside the box – and felt tears spring into his eyes.
"I LOVE YOU CRAP-GEEZER!" He cried happily, as he clutched the blue and white uniform to his chest.
-No matter what-
Sabo stared down into the bottomless ravine and wondered how the hell he got into these messes.
He heard a small cry and looked back up at his baby sister who was staring down at him with her large eyes, a few tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. Oh yeah, that why.
While they had been playing the wind had blown the girls hat off her head. This had resulted in a desperate chase for the straw-hat, which had landed them near the bottomless ravine.
Luffy had wanted to stretch and get it but her brother had immediately shot that down. Despite how much she had improved in handling her powers they did not want to chance them backfiring and plunging her into the ravine .
She had then suggested they rope down and get it.
Sabo had tried to gently point out that it would not have worked he hat since there were no trees for miles for them to tie a rope to. Upon hearing that her beloved hat was lost to her forever. Luffy had sat down on the ground and cried.
However, they were not normal Luffy tears that were over-dramatic and funny. No, these tears had been anything but funny. These tears were silent, soft, and completely heart-breaking, interjected with the words 'I promised' and 'his hat'.
Unable to stand her tears, the two brothers had decided they were going get that hat back no matter what. And so they had shed their outer clothes, cut them into strips, and using some grass made a surprisingly study rope.
Now Sabo hung from the make–shift rope held by Ace, praying that his idiot brother didn't drop him as one hand reached to grab at Luffy's hat.
He screamed as he was suddenly jerked to the side missing Luffy's hat by inches.
Clutching the rope tightly, he glared up as his brother.
"Keep the damn rope straight, you bastard! I almost had it!" Ace countered his glare with one of his own.
"It's called wind dipshit! Heard of it!?"
Almost immediately the brothers blanched as Ace words sunk in.
Wind. Wind was not good. One strong gust and the hat would be lost to them forever.
The two snuck a glance at their sister .Luffy , who would usually be laughing at their fighting, was looking down with wide eyes , shockingly silent.
The brothers shared a look and came to a silent agreement. They had to get this hat and fast.
Immediately, the boys went into what they victims called their battle mode. All outside interferences were unimportant, all that mattered was their goal. Both brothers synced up their minds and focused on what they had to do. Neither of them moved, they waited…
Suddenly a huge gust of wind blew through the ravine. Luffy let out a dismayed cry as her hat dislodged from the branch but Ace and Sabo were ready. Using all his strength Ace swung the rope in the direction of the wind allowing it to give him a boost. Sabo let out a war cry as he sailed toward the hat. He reached out and fumbled the hat, but he determined not to lose this. Not when they had so much riding on it. The wind was dying down, and in a minute the hat would plummet down into the ravine and be lost to them forever. He flung out his hand and this time his aim true. All three children let out a cheer, Luffy's being the happiest as Sabo waved the hat back and forth through the air.
"You drop that hat and I'll drop you!" Ace warned but he was smiling.
Sabo rolled his eyes. "Just pull me up, asshole!"
Together , Ace and Luffy began to pull their brother up to safety.
The minute Sabo had scrambled back on the ledge Luffy tackled him in a hug so strong he almost toppled right back over.
Sabo smiled as his sister muttered ' thank you' him over and over, and placed the hat back on her head.
"NO problem sis. It was fun." NO it wasn't. "Just be more careful next time."
Luffy beamed at him and nodded vigorously, before flying over to Ace , who had been pouting at Sabo getting his hug first.
Sabo rolled his eyes as his brother preened in Luffy's embrace.
Really, he had such a sister complex , but then again so did he, so he couldn't talk.
A sudden chill washed over his form and he remember that both he and Ace were wearing nothing but their underpants.
"Let's go home before we freeze, Kay." He said standing and wrapping his arms around his stomach.
Ace winced and nodded just now realizing himself that he only had on underpants.
Luffy, however stood in front of the two and looked at them seriously.
"I'll pay you back for this." she said earnestly to the two surprised boys. "I promise."
Ace and Sabo shared a smile before Ace stepped up and patted Luffy's head.
"No need to pay us back sis." He said, before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and steering her home.
"Yeah . " Sabo chirped , falling into line with them.
'After all, ' the two thought " Your happiness is payment enough.'
Fin.
Whew. DONE! God I'm so happy I'm done with this chapter I think it' my longest one and it was all for you guys! I hope you liked and that Sanji was Ok and that it was funny . I know some things might be a bit rushed but I wanted to get it out today. If it bothers anyon I can go back and addin so thing later.I humbly ask for your opinions. Once again thank Pen-Woman for your help couldn't have done without you . Just so you know guys if you give me ideas I will use them. Tell me want you to see. I value you guys opinion. Now to my wonderful readers and reviewer I LOVE YOU! Also don't forget to review! I can't believe I'm almost at 100! See you in chapter 5!