~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 3 / Waiting
Zoro grumbled and crossed his arms as he sat on the deck of the Sunny. It was now nightfall and that stupid cook was still not back! Not that he was waiting for him, like hell he would! But… well Luffy and the others would want dinner soon. Stitty cook needed to do his damn job and not be off …. Zoro huffed and got to his feet, he didn't even want to think what that perverted cook was doing. It didn't matter any to him.
The swordsman stared at the diction of the town as he leaned against the railing of the ship. Any moment now surly that damn cook would come back. Zoro's eyes widen as he caught himself yearning for the sight of the cook to come along that dirt trail. Fuming at himself he turned sharply on his heal to face the ocean. He was not waiting for the cook it was just his bad sense of direction he had meant to look at the ocean and just got turned around that's all that had been. Stupid people turning the ship around. They should just leave it be once they docked.
A presence took to his side and Zoro's frown deepened. The woman said nothing just stood there beside him. After many minutes of nothing, irked the swordsman turned on Robin and was about to ask what the hell she wanted when she finally spoke up. "Bushido-san?" her voice as clam as always.
Zoro swallowed some of his anger and turned his head back to the view of the ocean like she seemed to be doing. "What?" he half growled.
"Are you worried about cook-san?"
A tick formed on the side of Zoro's forehead. "Why does everyone keep asking me that today? Why the hell would I care what happens to that shitty cook?"
A small knowing smile came to turn up her lips. "I suppose you don't. He is just Nakama after all."
Zoro stiffened at this. "Look woman. The cook is a big boy and can make his own choices no matter how foolish they are. If the crazy fool does end up captured then we will just leave him there till its time to go then bust him out." He crossed his arms once more smirking. "That would teach him and serve him right."
Once Luffy, Chopper and himself had tracked down the girls that afternoon and explained what had taken place with the baka-cook they all had looked into just who this woman was since Robin didn't know her. With a some questioning around the town they had found out Sophia Morin was better known as Dr. Morin who worked for the marines who funded her research in mind alteration drugs. Things seemed to click then for Chopper as he finally remembering why her name had sounded so familiar. He had used some of her research to help him in creating his rumble balls. He went on and on about her till Zoro had just fallen asleep. When he woke up everyone had decided Sanji was safe enough to come back on his own and they had started back to the Sunny. Zoro didn't see the logic in this. The woman was dangerous and the stupid cook could not do anything against her if she tried something. Yet Luffy reminded them that Zoro had said she didn't plan to turn him in even though she knew who he was. Like they could really trust that woman. All women where evil conniving creatures that just should not be trusted. Why didn't anyone seem to understand this? Nami had then accused him of being jealous and Zoro then lost track of the original argument to argue with Nami all the way back to the Sunny. Zoro had tried to get the love-cook and female doctor out of his mind and just sleep but it had not worked so well and he had laid there in frustration till he had gotten up moments ago.
"Of course." Agreed Robin, that damn smile still on her lips taunting him like she knew some secret. Zoro forced his eyes to the ocean and stared hard at it and only it so he would not have to see that smile even if it was only from the corner of his eye sight. He was about to ask if she wanted something else to try and get her to hurry up and leave him alone when he was startled to hear another voice call out over the ship.
"Nami-sawn! Robin-chawn! Your prince has returned my lovely beauties." Called out the cook clearly returned from town as he jumped … well more like frolicked up onto the deck.
Zoro turned around to watch as the cook stopped before Nami in her lawn chair. "Please forgive me my sweet for taking so long I hope you where not to lonely with out me!"
"Hai, hai now go make dinner before Luffy eats the ship in a hunger meltdown." She waved him off not even look at him.
"Hai Nami-sawn! Anything for you!!!" He foolishly spun around and then Luffy from who knows where was rocketing towards him from the air yelling out. "Sanji! MEAT!!!" The cook easily threw up a one of his long agile legs letting the soul of his shoe crash into Luffy's face. "Alight asshole give me 30mins would ya!" grumbled out the cook as Luffy bounced off his shoe and smacked against the mass.
"Yo cook-bro! Watch it your gunna break the ship like that!" Franky then called out with Usopp peeking out from around him.
Sanji pulled out one of his sissy boy cigarettes and flared it up taking a long drag that made his chest puff up like a peacock before he let out the smoke and started on his way to the kitchen.
Once the cook was out of sight Zoro turned his head to Robin who still was standing next to him and was a little creped out to find the woman, still with that little smile, was watching him carefully. His own face redden some that was hard to notice with his thick tan. "W-what?" he muttered.
Robin gave a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders still smiling and replied, "Nothing." as she turned and went to join Nami.
I wasn't waiting for that damn ero-cook Zoro retold himself as he watched Robin move away. Stupid nosy woman. He scowled…because he certainly was not pouting. "I need a drink." He then muttered to no one but himself and let his feet take him to the kitchen.
He opened the kitchen door and was welcomed by mouthwatering smells as the cook was already in the middle of making some grand feast for dinner. Zoro shut the door and leisurely strolled to the wine rack so he could savor the aromas with in the room. Not that he would ever admit to the cook he enjoyed his damn cooking so much.
"Oi asshole! Wait till dinner." The cook had stopped what he was doing to place full attention on him.
The swordsman paused and looked to the cook. "Am thirsty."
"Fine. Just not my cooking wine." And with that said Sanji returned to chopping up some vegetables but still seemed to keep an eye on Zoro's movements as the man went on to the wine rack and pulled out a bottle of sake.
Zoro uncorked the bottle and took a drink watching the cook as he did so then took a seat at the table. The cook didn't say anything in protest to this. So Zoro tried once again to get under the cook's skin. "You sure took your time getting back."
"Oh did I?" A smirk formed on the cook's lips around the butt of his cigarette. "Where you counting the hours till my return little marimo?" teased the cook in a sultry tone.
Zoro stiffened mainly because he hit to close to the mark on that comment for Zoro's liking. "Like hell I would!" Zoro turned his head away taking another drink trying to think of something to come back at the cook with. Then he had it. "I just figured you would be back a lot sooner once that woman realized what a pervert you where."
"Hn is that your coy way of asking what happened between her and me?" the cook coolly replied and blew out a trail of smoke as his hands made quick and neat work of the carrots he chopped up. "Tsk tsk Zoro you should know a gentleman never kisses and tells."
"Che if you even so much as got as far as a kiss you probably then passed out from a nosebleed." Scoffed Zoro and was about to take another drink when he noticed the cook bristle like a cat at his words. A slow smirk finally came to Zoro's lips. "You did!" he accused and laughed out feeling better then he had in hours.
"Oi shut your trap you shity swordsman. I was simply posing for a painting for a lady and that's all you need to know!" and the knife in his hand cut to hard into the carrot this time and stuck in the wood of the cutting board. Zoro laughed more and harder not buying it due to how red the cooks face was turning. The cook pulled the knife free from the board and roared at Zoro, "Get the hell out of my kitchen you bastard!"
Now in to good of a mood with a wide grin on his face he got up and went over to the door with wave his free hand. "Am going am going…love-cook." and as he went out the door he heard the cook yelling at him, "Stupid marimo-head!" and Zoro shut the door behind him and could not help but admit maybe he had been waiting for that! He then went in search to find a quite place to finish his sake and take a nice restful nap before dinner.
Sanji slaved himself away in the kitchen furious at that green haired bastard and… more rightly so himself. The cook paused in mid stir of the sauce he was working on and let his mind run back to the hotel room.
Sophia-chan had been sucking at his neck and rubbing up against him then they where kissing and then….He did not remember everything just went black for some reason. Clearly he had fainted it was the only logic that made sense. Yet it didn't. He had been with women before…hell he had been with men before and had done things he would dare not ever have his dear virgin and delicate Nami-san to ever to find out about. So why had he fainted? Too much sun? No he had not been outside much besides it's not like this was a summer island. Could it be he was coming down with a cold or something? He did feel a bit off and under the weather as they say. Maybe he should have Chopper check him out after dinner discreetly so not to alarm and worry he angels Nami-san and Robin-chan.
The cook gasped, "Oh no!" and whispered out to himself. If he was sick it was possible he could have given something to Sophia-chan. He would never forgive himself if that happened! She had been so sweet to him when he had woken up.
*Flashback*
Sanji opened his eyes and had to blinked a few times before any objects became clear enough to make out. He was on the that large red silk bed still sprawled out with his shirt undone and opened wide showing off his tone chest that one hand lay on as the other lay above his head. At that moment he also realized his pants where undone and pulled down low on his hips showing off the black boxer shorts he had on. He was about to move to cover himself up when a voice pleaded out to him.
"Please don't move Sanji-sama." It was Sophia-chan Sanji noticed as he just used his eyes to track her down in the room. She was sitting at her easel a few feet away from the bed with paint brushes in her hands and smiling at him.
A deep blush rose to his cheeks as he realized he must have passed out in the middle of his make-out session with her and had been asleep for who knows how long. After a moment of awkward silence …at lest for him, Sophia-chan was amazing and kept working on the painting, Sanji finally spoke up. "I'm so sorry Sophia-chan. I swear I did not mean to …I don't even have an excuse to why I did it but please …please do not think it has anything to do with your far beauty. Any man would be insane to pass such a lady as you." He begged his heart breaking at the thought he might have hurt her feelings.
This got Sophia-chan to stop painting and look at him. There was a surprised looked there on her face as she studied him. "Y-you…are worried about me?" she questioned.
"But of course my angel I would cruse myself a thousand times over if it could but repair the damage I have done to you. I am so shamed of my behavior." He went to get up but was reminded by her again, "Don't move." So he did not and just lay there looking to her with his one visible eye pleading with her to be ok and not crushed.
A true smile then came to her face that reached her eyes and making those grey orbs shine like jewels. "It's ok Saniji my feelings where not hurt. You just must be tried. After all you're a very important member on your crew."
Sanji's heart fluttered with in his chest at that smile he was given and the two of them then spent the next hour talking about what Sanji's life was like on the sea. After which she told him she had enough done to finish with out his presences needed so he could go back to his ship and feed his hungry crew. Of course he had offered her to come with and join him for dinner but she politely declined explaining she wanted to work more on the painting. Then to his delight asked him to come back tomorrow for tea and to show off the painting as she was so sure she would have it done by then. So with that Sanji left and returned to the Sunny worrying all the way back on what treat he should bring tomorrow to go with there afternoon tea and if he would get another chance with the lovely Sophia-chan.
*End flashback*
Sanji sighed deeply stirring the sauce once more then got the table ready with the finishing touches. Would he really have another chance with Sophia-chan? Maybe she was just being polite in any case he had to make it up to her! Yet a little nagging voice in the back of his head spoke softly questioning if anyone could ever want a loser like him.
The cook went on setting out the food and drinks as that little nagging voice kept getting louder little by little questioning any and every relationship he had ever had. People always left him in the end even Zeff had wanted him gone after awhile. No… no that's not right Zeff wanted him to live his life and get everything he could from it. It had nothing to do with him wanting Sanji gone. …but it could have had. Wouldn't things be better now for Zeff with out him, Sanji being there to bother the old man and make him upset?
Heavy of step Sanji walked to the door and opened it up calling out. "Dinner!" He quickly side stepped as Luffy shot threw the door and landed in his normal seat at the table. He was already drooling at the mouth. "Oi asshole at lest wait for the ladies to sit down before you start eating." He scolded the captain as he started to help himself to his piled high plate. Dammit how many times did he have to tell him that before it sunk in?
It will never sink in because you're nothing to him. Your weak and he is strong and that's just how it is. The voice explained and Sanji then scolded himself for thinking such things as the other crew members piled in taking there seats.
Once the last sorry bastard…who just happened to be the marimo, came in and sat down Sanji shut the door and moved over to the counter to pick up some more dishes he had left out of view of Luffy so his lovely ladies could have first chance at them.
As Sanji turned around a pain struck his heart that made his eyes water as he looked at his fellow crew members there at the table. He had seen them like this a hundred times more like this before. Laughing and stuffing there faces trying to protect there food from there bottomless pit of a captain and just enjoying themselves be it due to just each others company or foolish banter. They seemed so prefect so happy there….with out him. Why was he needed again? If he was not there nothing would change they would still be like this. What impact could he possible have on there lives that would matter? His chest felt tight and his eyes burned all the more at these thoughts.
Robin then looked up at him with concern. "Are you alright cook-san?" the rest of the table even Zoro looked at him putting him on the spot.
A forced smile burst at once to the cook's face. "Of course Robin-chawn I was just struck in awe of your beauty!" He twirled around to Robin and Nami holding out the offerings for the first chances of the special dishes.
And so dinner went on as normal. Laughing and stuffing there faces trying to protect there food from there bottomless pit of a captain and just enjoying themselves be it due to just each others company or foolish banter and Sanji was there with them threw it all …but that little voice kept flashing back to that moment of realization that even if he was not in the picture they would go on and didn't need him.
Dinner then rapped up one by one the crew members left him alone at the table. Sanji stared at his surroundings when he was left alone just like he knew he would be. Dirty dishes and empty seats was the only sight that greeted him back. His chest throbbed once more with that pain…that pain that could only be caused my loneliness.
"Cook-san?" Robin questioned him as she stood in the doorway. He turned himself in his seat to look at her and she frowned. "Are you really feeling alright?"
Not wishing to trouble his lovely Robin-chan he got up with hearts in his eyes swooning in admiration to her. "Ah Robin-chawn is so kind to worry about me! But of course I am fine please do not trouble yourself with worry over the likes of me my dear. I think I just might be tried." He laughed it off and pulled out one of his reliable cigarettes and fired it up with his zippo lighter.
"I see. Alright then cook-san. Would you like some help with clean up so you can rest soon?" she offered politely.
"Ah still so sweet as to worry over your prince but no I would not dream of soiling your fair hands with such a taxing chore."
"Very well cook-san. Please don't over work yourself." And then once again Sanji was alone … he gave a tried sigh…maybe he really was just tried and that's all it was. Part of him wished he had expected Robin-chan's offer at the very lest he would not be alone now.
Near in tears Sanji tried to suck it up and think of what he should make as dessert and the snack for his afternoon tea date with Sophia-chan as he cleared the table and worked on the mountain of dishes. He tried to cheer himself up reminding himself that he would be going to see a beautiful woman tomorrow that would be waiting just for him. Yet that little nagging voice told him she was just being polite and no one would want to be waiting for him.