Disclaimer: Sanji will give you his love; his cooking and your dreams come true. However, he won't give you this disclaimer.
Sanji in…
Cramps
He was agile. He was graceful. He was in top physical condition. With all these things in his favor, it was unthinkable that Sanji would end up in such a mind-bending state of affairs.
So it was increasingly mortifying that out of every place he could've been humiliated it was his haven. The one place that even Luffy couldn't undermine him. Where he made the rules and was the longstanding expert, his domain. His kitchen.
Sanji would never forgive that jar of peaches.
He'd planned a wonderful, decadent dessert for his precious Nami-san and Robin-chan that wasn't just delicious, but low on fat so they wouldn't have to worry about their figures. The recipe had called for a number of things, but it revolved around the main ingredient- peaches.
With everything almost ready, Sanji grabbed the jar he got out earlier and twisted off the cap. All that was left were two slices and a puddle of juice at the bottom.
Damn, I hope we have some more.
He preheated the oven and tossed in the other ingredients in a bowl. Wiping his hands off the cook made his way to the pantry. The door opened with a complaint, crooked and abused as it was from previous raids. Sanji hadn't gotten around to ask Franky to fix it yet.
His eyes roved the interior expertly, recalling where he kept the preserved fruit. Sanji stepped inside and looked from the barrels of flour and bags of sugar on the floor, to the dry foods and, finally, the preserved fruits, and right at the very top, the peaches he was looking for.
Now, Sanji was exceedingly particular and organized when it came to foodstuffs. Each can and jar was labeled so he could find things easily and quickly. He wouldn't keep the ladies waiting, of course.
The problem was how high his required ingredient was.
Normally, he had a ladder for the top shelf that he couldn't reach with his already tall frame, but this had also ended up mysteriously broken. Sanji tried reaching to his arms' extent and on his tiptoes.
Slender fingers brushed the jar, yet it didn't come loose and even if it did he ran the risk of having the last peaches soiled on the ground. Then, he'd have to feed them to the males of the crew.
At that thought he grimaced and leaned back to think. Smoke twirled from his cigarette and his eyebrow furrowed.
Then he had it. He knew just what to do.
It was dangerous. It was combining two things that shouldn't be combined, and, as he'd realize much later, completely idiotic. Yet, his mind was focused on pleasing Nami and Robin, not the cons.
With the ease of one that spends years training and perfecting certain muscles, Sanji flipped into a handstand. He held it for several seconds, before he leapt into action. In a modified move, proven in battle, the cook kicked upwards and to the side in a semi circle. His legs traveled through the air smoothly and so fast they were only a blur.
He registered when the heel of his shoe hit the hardened glass jar. The power of his strike had been toned down enough that it wouldn't shatter and he'd bought a special type of container to use on the perilous and crazy ship. The kind that was nearly bulletproof.
Sanji watched as the peaches tipped off the shelf and plummeted to the floor. He hurriedly twisted into a precarious position as he moved to catch the falling jar.
Boom!
A formidable tremor shook the entire ship and everyone and everything in it. The wide-eyed cook had not time to fret about what exactly had caused the explosive sound and quaking. Unfortunately, the unexpected movement had shifted his equilibrium, so as Sanji brought his hands to close around the peaches he abruptly lost his balance.
"Ah!" he gave a cry of surprise and sudden pain when his left leg collapsed and he crumpled to the floor. His other leg was racked with an identical twinge of agony and Sanji bit his tongue to keep from screaming.
In the tumble, his cigarette had been lost and he would not, could not be reduced to yelling from a mere fall, and aided by his position and the abrupt rocking.
And he would have stayed fast in his promise, if Sanji hadn't realized an important detail. He had squeezed his eyes shut to block out the throbbing pain and wasn't ready to open them yet. The damage he'd caused, to himself and to the supplies that had surely been knocked down in the chaos, would be another unpleasant surprise.
Though, Sanji continued to repeat something in his panicked mind.
I can't move. I can't move. I can't move!
His first reaction after collapsing had been to climb to his feet like he always did. Recovery was usually swift for the tough cook no matter what happened. Be it enemy, rival, circumstance or the stupid incidents that seemed inescapable in this crew. So, Sanji was more than a little alarmed when he tried to do this… and failed.
He commanded his legs to move and stand up again and again, each time with more desperation and fear. Yet, each time was met with muscles that didn't respond and limbs that hardly twitched. Had he become paralyzed? Unable to fight or walk ever again?
No, that was jumping to conclusions like his younger nakama would. Sanji calmed himself to a slightly lesser degree. Maybe he'd broken both his legs? It was unlikely, because he was sure he hadn't heard one snap and certainly not, but certainly favorable to the other option. He could live with that. Being out of action would be difficult, but that was the story of his life.
"Shit," Sanji groaned. He had to get himself together. If any of his crewmates found him this way… especially the swordsman, he would never live it down. Gritting his teeth, he tried to grab his knees, to tug and force his legs to straighten. At least then, Sanji wouldn't be in the awkward position with one leg pinned underneath the other and that one halfway bent.
At the ensuing shock he couldn't prevent a whimper escaping his lips. Panting, Sanji halted his efforts for the time being. Until he could come up with a way that didn't cause him to cringe and bite down on his tongue even harder.
The cook was granted a respite when he heard a series of thumps and shouting. This was followed by footsteps leading to the door before it was flung open forcefully.
"Sanji-kun! Luffy and Usopp damaged the Sunny and we lost a couple crates of provisions. Could you-? Oh no!"
Nami's angry tirade was miraculously halted when she noticed Sanji on the floor. She quickly pushed the problem involving the other boys out of her mind. Though, they would get their pennies worth later.
In a moment, she was kneeled at the cook's side and took in the almost splits and overall painful and unusual position he was in. Sanji would never be like this. Needless to say, Nami immediately knew something was wrong.
She forfeited tenderness after touching his lightly heeded no reaction, took him by the shoulders and shook him. "Sanji-kun! Sanji! What happened?"
Gradually, his eyes fluttered open and, upon seeing the navigator, he smiled weakly.
"Nami-san…"
"Are you okay?" she demanded, relieved that he was conscious, but frustrated she wasn't getting any answers.
"I was just…" Sanji coughed and Nami propped his head up so he could breath easier. "… Being stupid."
Before she could ask what he meant, she heard a voice coming their way. As gently as she could while being in a hurry, Nami rushed to the open door.
Sanji listened curiously at the brief conversation that followed.
"No! You can't come in right now, Zoro!"
A grumble. "What the hell's wrong with you, woman? I just want some sake-"
The cook bristled. How dare the marimo address Nami-san so rudely! Unfortunately, he was too tied up to defend her at the moment and settled for cursing him under his breath.
"I. Said. No," Nami repeated. There was the sound of a short struggle and raised protests, but the navigator managed to kick Zoro outside and shut the door. Leaning back against the wood, she caught her breath then returned to the downed cook.
When she saw he still hadn't moved, she was surprised.
"Can you move, Sanji-kun?"
Fear was evident in her voice and Sanji ached to comfort her. Valiantly, he gave a last gigantic effort to get his legs untangled. He twitched, yet only his arms would give an indication that his brain was indeed connected to his muscles.
Nami watched him fight and her eyes were wide. She tried to push him back down. "Don't strain yourself."
"Damn it," he growled and fell back, panting. Not only was he physically hurt, but also his pride had taken a blow. Sanji winced, silently grateful that at least Nami had been the one to find him. Though, he would've have been embarrassed if it wasn't so serious, it could've been someone significantly less caring.
The navigator's hands trembled as she looked for anything she could do. Nami held Sanji's head in her hands, yet knew it wouldn't help in the long term.
"At least you can move your arms," she encouraged and he half-smiled, appreciating the support. Nami was an intelligent woman and knew when her nakama needed a doctor. "I'm sorry, Sanji-kun. I'll be right back with Chopper."
She set him back down and stood up. Sanji had to resist expressing his regret that she was leaving.
Please don't go.
He reached out and caught her sleeve and Nami swiftly looked back.
"Here. I got your peaches…" Sanji dropped the jar of peaches he'd sacrificed so much for into her open hand. Her shocked expression melted into one of warm affection. She touched the label wonderingly as his hand withdrew.
"Thank you, Sanji-kun."
But the cook was already gone, having succumbed to the pain and he rested peacefully. A faint smile played on his lips while he drifted into a sleep filled with dreams.
0~0~0
Waking up felt like a strange, out of body experience.
His bleary eyes took several minutes to clear and he had to brush his tousled blonde hair out of the way before he could take in his surroundings. Which only contributed to his disorientation.
White greeted Sanji wherever he turned his sore head, a dull pain pulsing at the base of his skull. It, combined with the pungent, yet sweet scent of medicine let him know that he was in the ship's infirmary. He recognized Chopper's desk and his favorite swivel chair. The various herbs and medical books were another trademark.
After he was comfortable enough with his location, he looked down at himself. His entire body ached and he lay in a bed with the sheets drawn to his chin. Sanji disliked the feeling of vulnerability and, with minimum suffering, drew his torso into a sitting position. The sheets crumpled around him and he fought back a pang in his head.
Frowning, he raised his hand to his forehead and his fingertips brushed against white bandages. Huh, Sanji didn't remember that he ever hurt his head, but then that would tie in with the pain in his neck.
That brought him back around to the reason he was in this bed in the first place and he straightened with a jerk. Pain pulsed through his body, but Sanji ignored it and cautiously focused all his attention on his legs. He was about to test them and see if he could move now when Chopper closed the door behind him.
The little reindeer stared at his patient in wonderment for several seconds before he ran over and launched himself on the cook happily.
"Sanji! You're awake!" he cried. "We were so worried!"
He tried not to react when the doctor gave him a hug that ignited the pain. But his feelings must have shown through anyway.
Chopper clambered off with big, fretful eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry! It's just… you were unconscious for a while and…" He trailed off and turned to his desk, ready to get down to business.
At Chopper's comment, Sanji made a face.
"How long was I out?"
Sanji saw the reindeer's back freeze momentarily in his work. Then his shoulders slumped. Though the cook's tone was frustrated, he couldn't lie even if he wanted to.
"A couple days."
Hand his temple and Chopper jumped from the sound. "Shit, shit. That long? I'm such an idiot…"
"Ah! Sanji! You shouldn't be sitting up yet!" the doctor rushed to his side with a tray cluttered with medicine. He'd finally noticed when Sanji berated himself and the cook could only roll his eyes while Chopper nudged and prodded his bare chest until he was lying down.
It was a tedious process, like every time Sanji visited the infirmary. Chopper was incredibly thorough in his examinations and strict, making sure no one left unless he deemed them healthy or on the mend, as he often had to accept. But, this boring wait was made up for the marked improvement afterward and Sanji was always grateful.
Except, he was growing more and more aggravated by the lack of answers and assurance that the medical types were supposed to give. As the reindeer moved from his head injury to his legs, the cook finally burst.
"Ow!" Sanji cringed away from Chopper as he applied slight pressure to his thigh. He'd gotten the sheets out of the way so he could continue to the focus point of his examination and there was only the thin material of his trousers between the doctor's experienced hooves and the tender limbs.
Chopper apologized, but didn't withdraw. When it came to his job he was as brave as a lion, though the worried crease between his eyes never went away.
"Sorry, Sanji." He rolled up a pants leg and swabbed a patch of skin with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. The cook was doing his best to stay still besides the constant irritation. Chopper took out a syringe filled with a clear fluid and injected it into his leg quickly. Sanji barely felt a thing… until another needle was plunged into him and extracted his blood.
He turned his head away from Chopper. "Ugh."
"Can you wiggle your toes?" the reindeer filed the vial of his blood onto a slide, checked under the microscope and then tied up some bandages. He watched the cook carefully.
Sanji gritted his teeth. "What was that for?"
"That? I needed a sample to check if you were anemic."
"Well?"
"You were clear, but I have to get more time to see if it's a different disease. Now, see if you can wiggle your toes."
With a mumble of "right away, doctor," accompanied by Chopper's blush, Sanji embarked on his new mission. At his crewmate's advice, he relaxed his muscles, released a big breath… and was able to move his toes.
"Good!" Chopper squealed in delight. "It's progress."
However, Sanji wasn't satisfied with such a paltry achievement. He went on to shake his feet and roll his ankles and, with sweat beading on his forehead, surpassed the anguish that had numbed considerably compared to earlier, and got his leg muscles to move. He bent his left knee at a 45-degree angle and then collapsed back on the pillow.
His breathing was unsteady, but he managed a smirk. "See, Chopper? That's progress."
"Hmm…" Chopper nodded and tipped his head to give him some water, but he wasn't smiling. Sanji closed his eyes and let the time tick past.
He wasn't sure when he'd fallen asleep, but when he glanced to his right, the cook saw Chopper in his chair again, turning the pages of a huge book half his size.
"Eh, Chopper?"
The reindeer gave him a startled look. "Do you need anything, Sanji? I can give you some more medicine for the pain-"
"Chopper, what's wrong?"
In the act of reaching for pills, he paused and his small smile vanished. He looked down at his book, anywhere but Sanji, and was quiet. This caused a small shiver to run through the cook.
Finally, Chopper acknowledged his patient. "I went over your symptoms again and what I discovered in your examination," he began softly. "At first, I thought it was dehydration or anemia, or another condition that causes fainting and muscle weakness. But… I was wrong…"
Suddenly more alert than he'd been since… however long he'd been unconscious, Sanji propped himself halfway on his elbow. It was a rare event when the reindeer prodigy initial guesses were incorrect.
"It wasn't any of those things," Chopper went on. "From your reaction when I touched your legs and your temporary paralysis originating there…"
He blinked in surprise, remembering the scene when Nami found him. Sanji couldn't believe he'd forgotten, if merely for a moment.
"… You're leg muscles have been torn in multiple places. " The doctor witnessed Sanji's expression change from faintly worried to astonished. Chopper opened the page of the book he'd been reading that showed a detailed sketch of the anatomy of the leg paired with scribbled notes. "It's probably from extreme overuse with no precautions that caused such severe damage. I should've watched you better, Sanji."
Tears had come to Chopper's eyes and his shoulders started to shake. Sanji was divided between wanting to comfort him and shouting in denial.
"Impossible," he murmured, mostly to himself. "I've been training with the Red Leg techniques and perfecting my own for years! There's no way an accident like that could turn so bad…"
Chopper choked back a sob and wiped his eyes. He looked Sanji in the eye determinedly, though his bottom lip continued to tremble. "I don't know how it happened exactly, but even someone like you, Sanji. If you fall in a way that you did, the muscles of a human can only bear so much weight and contortion."
It was hard to find sense in the words, yet the cook was concerned with one thing in particular.
"What does this mean?"
"Well, you should've gotten cramps leading up to extended exertion with no rest…"
Sanji didn't say anything, but nodded slowly. Actually, he had, yet they were so minor and occasionally a by-product of a major fight, that he hadn't given it a second thought. But that wasn't the point.
"What does this mean?" he repeated.
Reluctantly, Chopper told him.
"WHAT?"
0~0~0
By the end of his third day in the infirmary, the same day Chopper gave him the diagnosis, Sanji had gone stir crazy and he'd made up his mind that it was time to get back to work. Whether the reindeer approved or not.
Which he decidedly did not.
As Sanji sat up and swung his legs around to the side of the bed, Chopper was constantly switching between Brain Point and Heavy Point. He could only stop the cook in his larger form, but the fear of hurting him was holding the doctor back. He settled with yelling and half-hearted threats.
"No, Sanji! You need to rest and heal before you start walking again!" he protested and ran around, attempting to dissuade the blonde-haired man.
He waved his hand at Chopper and tried to concentrate through the noise. His previous tries and even getting his legs to change position had drained all his energy, but Sanji recovered fast.
Resolutely, he gripped the edges of the bed and slowly and painfully rose to his feet. It took two heartbeats until a fierce pain jolted through Sanji and he swayed unsteadily. His legs wobbled weakly and he would have tumbled to the ground if Chopper hadn't transformed and caught him.
"I told you!" he scolded and started to set him on the bed. "You're not even near ready."
Sanji's eyebrows furrowed. "Chopper, I'm fine. Hand me those crutches and let me go." The doctor hovered uncertainly, glancing between the cook and the wooden supports he always had ready for his crewmates. Finally, the glare got through to Chopper and he hurried to grab the crutches.
"Thanks," Sanji grunted and situated each one underneath his arm. He experimented with the instruments that were meant for usually one injured limb and took a couple steps. The movement ignited dormant agony in his bandaged legs as he traveled across the room with difficulty, but Sanji stubbornly persisted.
Eventually, he reached the door and glanced back at Chopper, who had been watching him fretfully. A smile touched his lips, spotted with blood from biting down, his tongue in a similar condition. "Have more confidence in me, Doctor Chopper."
"That doesn't make me happy at all, you bastard!" he grinned.
But, this small feat hadn't completely convinced him and Chopper insisted on rewrapping Sanji's legs and forehead.
He handed the cook two round pills and a glass of water. "You're going to have to take these four times a day, three at meals and one at your choosing." Sanji obliged and swallowed the medicine. "If you don't…" Chopper warned. "The pain will become too much and you'll collapse again…"
Shaking his head, he mourned his bad patient. "You're really exerting yourself too much, too early, Sanji…"
When the reindeer glanced up, however, Sanji was gone and the infirmary door swayed traitorously.
"Wait!"
The cook had escaped as soon as possible and was ready to resume his duty as part of the Straw Hat Crew.
0~0~0
On his way to the kitchen to create a meal that would be worth all the ones he'd missed, Sanji ran into most of his nakama that were lounging on deck.
And he was immediately bombarded with happy greetings and questions. In Luffy, Chopper and Usopp's case, he was literally pulled into a giant hug they didn't lessen until his pain was clear and Nami disciplined them.
Robin was the first to be heard over the mass ruckus.
"Ah, you're finally up, Cook-san?"
He turned to her with a lovesick grin. "Robin-chan, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to take care of your wishes. I'll fix you some coffee right away~!"
She giggled. "It's okay. I'm perfectly capable of making my own."
"Yohoho! I'm glad you're all right, Sanji-san!" Brooke exclaimed.
"We all are," Nami put in pointedly.
Everyone chorused his or her agreement. Zoro yelped when Nami's elbow drove into his side and also muttered something.
Luffy came up to the cook and begged, "Sanji, I'm hungryyy…"
Sanji almost took pity on his captain. The guilt from shirking his duties was already eating his alive. "Stop bothering me," he snapped, but was making his way to the kitchen anyways. "Then, maybe I'll whip something up."
Struggling to appear as strong as possible on his bandaged and aching legs, Sanji reached the door with his crutches. Only to find Usopp blocking it, the poor sharpshooter was quaking as the cook appraised him coldly.
"What are you doing?"
"I… I… we decided to l-let you…" he stuttered and Sanji wondered if he could push him from his path since Chopper was nowhere in sight.
Then the navigator interjected, saving Usopp in the process. "Sanji-kun, we're going to be cooking the meals until you've recovered. You need a break off your feet."
She gestured at his sorry condition.
If anyone else, apart from Robin, had even suggested Sanji should let his nakama cook in his place he would've decked him or her, or in this case, had a strongly worded argument. However, this was Nami and she, and everyone else who were watching, knew his weak spot.
"That's so kind of you Nami-swan~!" he gushed, energetic in at least a couple retrospect. "But, you don't need to…"
However she wasn't listening, and the others weren't hearing it either, with Luffy salivating just thinking about food.
"You can pay me back when you're all better, Sanji-kun," Nami inserted slyly. "Hey Franky, Luffy's starting to chew on the ship!"
The cook knew he was stuck, as the navigator stalked off to deal with her crewmates.
Chopper suddenly appeared at Sanji's side. "Sanji."
Taking his hand, the reindeer led him to a seat to rest.
It wasn't until he relaxed into the chair, that Sanji realized how heavily he was breathing and how much the walking and standing had taken out of him. Cursing his idiocy that started this, he wiped his brow and did as he was told for now.
There began the start of a crew collaboration to keep food on the table and the cook away from the kitchen.
0~0~0
The system itself was of sturdy design and it was easy to tell who had contributed. It was also apparent that Chopper had informed the rest of the Straw Hats of the main points of Sanji's injuries.
He really appreciated that.
And if being treated like a fragile doll that needed aid every waking minute wasn't horrific enough, Sanji had to bear having others preparing food.
Once he had gotten the strength to state his objections more clearly, Sanji was very reluctant to have anyone but the girls anywhere near the inner sanctum of the kitchen, handling the preciseness.
That battle was similarly lost.
A rotation system had been designed, where each day a new Straw Hat would cook any and all meals. This gave everyone the chance to help, even if they didn't want to and offered the respite from certain cooking that definitely lacked skills.
Both Robin and Nami were decent cooks, and Sanji wasn't saying so just because they were his ladies. Okay… maybe partly.
"Ah, Nami-swan! You're desserts are lovely~! What an elegant taste and feel, Robin-chwan~!"
Yet, it was true, as the rest, and less biased of the crew would attest that the girls did have some talent. They would have been sorely disappointed otherwise because if they had to guess who could cook after Sanji it would be Nami or Robin. At least they specialized in one or two areas of the preparation that was quite good.
When it was the archaeologist's turn the layout was elegant, yet the food was simple. She made excellent use of seasonings, though the balance was far from perfect.
Nami, however, had a completely different style of cooking. She tended to use lots of color and fruit in each and every dish. Even if some of those citrus and fish ones left a bit to be desired.
Up to then, the crew survived on the rotations. It was when it was the guys' turn to do their job that Sanji got anxious and insisted on supervising.
Usopp was first and spent the entire time cooking talking to Sanji. So much that the cook had to remind him to watch the stove or pour the mixture in the bowl. Most of his advice wasn't heeded, for a multitude of reasons, but no one could say he couldn't try. The sharpshooter's creations were hard to stomach after Sanji got Usopp to tone down on some parts. Everything was decidedly spicy and Chopper had to treat a lot of burned throats by the end of the day.
Next was Franky, who had a hard enough time moving around the kitchen as it was. He'd designed it to be spacious, but hadn't had his bulky arms and build in the equation. He evidently hadn't expected to be the one cooking and handling the various instruments. After he got somewhat used to it, with Sanji helping for the more delicate procedures, the cyborg demonstrated his affinity. It might've been because he ran on the liquid or that he'd gotten it into his head that it made anything taste delicious. So, Franky somehow managed to insinuate cola into the appetizers, the main dish, and even the dessert.
Chopper was very excited to get the chance the cook and Sanji was as patient as possible. The doctor had a fair understanding of mixing ingredients for his medicine, which made it easier. His food turned out fairly well, but would've have tasted much better if Chopper hadn't taken his love for sugar and added cupfuls of the stuff.
By the time, the gentlemanly skeleton made his way into the kitchen, Sanji's expectations were low as could be. Not that they were particularly high to begin with.
Though, he tried to be as helpful as possible.
With, "Try this, Brooke," or "Don't use that." But despite all the aid Sanji sent his way, Brooke was incredibly clumsy with the pas, whisks, ingredients… you name it. His long, gangly arms and legs may have made him a wonderful musician and a talented swordsman, but he continued to bump into things.
"Oops," he spoke as he knocked an egg off the counter. The unfortunate egg plummeted to a grisly death.
Sanji had had enough, managed to stay on his feet with his crutches and grabbed a spatula. The skeleton was promptly chased out of the kitchen.
None of Brooke's food was tasted after that, though Sanji severely doubted the crew would go hungry without it.
He was exhausted, and he wasn't even doing the cooking. Just watching most of his nakama fail miserably at his job was tiring and Sanji made sure to express his displeasure around everyone but the ladies. He was constantly asking Chopper how much longer he had to put up with the torture and as soon as he thought it couldn't get any worse; the green-haired swordsman was up to plate.
Why is this even happening? Sanji despaired as he eyed Zoro from a chair. I can use my hands just fine, yet they won't let me do anything. He glared at his legs for failing him. Oh yeah, a sarcastic voice added. … Maybe, because you needed to please the girls and everyone but yourself? The cook put his head in his hands. Oh, shut up.
Following his inner dilemma, he was torn between making sure the marimo didn't blow up the kitchen, and walking as far as way as possible so he wouldn't be responsible for another failure. It was hard enough just seeing Zoro with his precious supplies, regarding them with a thoroughly confused expression.
Eventually, Sanji got Zoro not to use his swords while cutting the vegetables and so he wouldn't hold the gleaming, and alarmingly sharp, knives like katana. Afterwards, he let the swordsman loose; only checking in now and then to check everything was intact.
Out of all the crew that had cooked so far, Zoro made him the most nervous. He paced around the deck before the meal until his muscles twinged in complaint and he had to rest. None of Robin's quiet assurances or Luffy's excitement that always came with anything edible eased his fears.
In fact, Luffy was probably the most accepting with the food his nakama had prepared so far. Though he made the occasional complaint or comparison with Sanji's food, he would eat every last scrap. Though they were used to it by now, their captain's stomach was still able to astound them.
Then the swordsman called them into the dining room. They took their seats, with Chopper sitting next to Sanji like he'd been doing since he got hurt and waited expectantly. While, Usopp and Franky held back the ravenous Luffy, the cook appraised the settings on the table.
From the arrangement it looked like they were going to have a number of light foods, including seafood and perhaps some seasonal fruit. Sanji was still speculating when Zoro walked in with armfuls of food.
As quickly as he could, keeping Luffy at bay with a spoon and punches, Zoro practically threw it on the table.
"Wait, baka! Otherwise no one else will get any!" he shouted above the noise.
In a somewhat civilized fashion, Zoro hadn't though about putting out the food before everyone came in, the swordsman served his creations. Sanji had been mostly right about the general selection.
There was onigiri, sushi, crackers, strawberries and sliced meat with their captain in mind. It was accompanied by an assorted other things.
The way everything was chopped and cut made the cook think that Zoro's swords skills had actually come in handy in the kitchen. It was done almost expertly, but Sanji contained his mild impression. It might have gone smoothly if their rivalry and the natural atmosphere of Straw Hat meals hadn't kicked in.
Luffy stuffed some sushi rolls in his bulging mouth. "Vou, Shoro! Kis esh weawy bood!" he exclaimed, crumbs flying everywhere.
Nami wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Don't talk with your mouth full!"
"Rowry, Dnami," Luffy turned to her.
"Or, better yet, don't talk at all!" she hit him on the head and his face went into his bowl.
Brooke weaved a little tune as usual as the crew indulged themselves. Then, Usopp glanced from his plate and talking with Franky, "Oi, Zoro. Where'd you learn to make this stuff?"
"I had to survive somehow, so I picked up a few things here and there." He shrugged like it was no big deal, but Sanji saw his smirk.
"It's very well-prepared," Robin complimented.
He clenched his fists under the table and looked away from the swordsman.
In the past days, the absence of Zoro and Sanji fighting had been obvious and it had taken its toll on both of them. If you thought about it positively, which almost no one ever did, it allowed them to release their tension when there wasn't an enemy in sight, or even if there was one.
Yet now, that tension was slowly rising to unbearable levels. Zoro noticed Sanji's reaction and raised an eyebrow.
"What's up with you, cook?"
"Nothing." He made tighter fists.
"The food not up to your standards?" the swordsman continued.
Chopper sent Sanji a concerned glance, but the man ignored it.
He didn't reply to the question, which Zoro noticed as well.
Zoro raised a glass of sake to his lips. "Or, you're feeling outdone…"
Sanji felt anger rush to his head and he gave the swordsman a sharp glare. Was he goading him? Did Zoro want to start a fight?
Yes, that smirk said, yes he did.
Unfortunately for the marimo, though, Sanji wasn't going to bend over backward for him. Though the comment started a tic in his forehead.
"You…" he growled and their eyes met across the table.
The sake landed on the wood loudly and at this point a few of the crew were watching, namely Robin and Chopper.
"It must suck feeling useless, ero-cook," Zoro rolled out the insult slowly.
What the hell? Sanji screamed in his mind. What was up with the man and the sadistic grin he was giving him?
But, no matter how much Sanji was trying to restrain his boiling temper that was the last straw. He shot to his feet, ignoring the sudden pang, and causing the chair to skid back with a screech.
"You want to fight marimo!" he shouted furiously.
Zoro was also standing and his hand went to the hilts of his katana. He roared back, "If you can take me, curly-brow!"
Their glares met venomously and the strand of thread that separated them from fighting up to now snapped. They only paused a moment to see who would make the first move.
Several more of their nakama had jumped up.
"Sanji! Zoro! This is not the time!" Nami cried.
Usopp covered his eyes. "Don't do it…"
Chopper waved frantically, trying to get their attention. "No, Sanji! You're still severely injured! You could make it a lot worse-!"
The men suddenly shifted their positions and everyone froze, the cries to stop being repeated again and again.
But it was too late. In a blur, Sanji dropped his crutches and swung his leg up and around. The swordsman drew his white sword.
"Zoro! Wait!" Luffy abruptly rose.
There was nothing he could do to stop them, though. Sanji was already in an unstoppable motion and Zoro had no choice but to defend himself.
Blade met leg and a rush of air was sent back by the force. Then everything happened in slow motion. Uncertainty was written all across the swordsman's face as he stood in a defensive stance, with his sword slid halfway from its sheath to catch the strike.
Then, Sanji made a small sound of pain and collapsed to the floor.
All he could feel was a burning, hot lance piercing the one leg he'd lashed out with. Then that anguish transferred partly to his other and registered with his mind. Sanji fought hard not to pass out; clutching his damaged leg with eyes squeezed shut.
He could also hear voices. Nami and Usopp's panic that spread through the rest of the group like wildfire, Zoro's curses, Robin's calming voice that urged everyone to go outside, and Luffy's silence. It was so tantamount that Sanji almost missed what Chopper spoke in his ear.
His fear and concern came close to over rided his doctor's instincts, but they remained. When he knew the cook could hear him and said so with a groan.
"I told you, Sanji. You can't fight or use your kick, or…" Chopper's voice was choked. "Come on, let's get you somewhere to sleep."
0~0~0
To say Sanji learned his lesson would be an understatement. He followed the reindeer's instructions to the letter. Well, almost… He was eager to get out of the infirmary after his latest incident, but he did his best.
Zoro hadn't spoken a single word to him, after a muttered, if sincere, "I'm sorry."
They weren't on speaking terms and they hardly looked at each other either. Sanji's original thought after the swordsman apologized was that Nami had put him up to it, but he didn't have the heart to blame it on his plenty remorseful nakama. Because that's what he was, even if he was a pain in the ass. He knew he shared most of that blame. It was his fault that been provoked into fighting with Zoro and he should've thought of the consequences.
However, Sanji believed some good had come of it. That little clash had relieved a lot of his balled up stress and he was moderately less irritable.
The cooking rotations were still in effect, and the crew was getting more used to the strange activity. But, Sanji had drawn the line somewhere. There was no way in hell he was going to let Luffy cook, or even get within ten feet of the kitchen and the food it held.
He went to enough trouble trying to prevent the rubbery boy from sneaking meat from the fridge in the middle of the night. He'd have to be a hypocrite to change that now.
So, Luffy wasn't a part of the cooking program and, as long as he got to eat whatever was made, he seemed okay with that.
A little over a week and half since Sanji first fell and strained his legs, the Thousand Sunny docked in a port town known for its bars and spirits. The Log Pose only took a day to set, and they were supposed to put the shopping before any relaxing.
Sanji did his food shopping with Usopp, finally able to escape from Chopper's doctoring for short spurts of time. Enough trust had been gained that he didn't have an extra shadow and he relished the increased freedom.
They didn't have too many distractions, other than one or two beautiful girls, and the pair finished their duties by the afternoon. As Nami had described, they went to the Gold E. Bar after, where every one was eventually supposed to meet up
When they entered, it was amazingly rowdy despite it being broad daylight, and Usopp cleared the way best he could for his crewmate. Sanji still had both his crutches, though his left leg was strong enough that he could support it without one for a while.
Cook and sharpshooter got through the crowd to the bar stools and sat down. It didn't take long before they spotted Nami and Robin.
"Nami-swan, Robin- chwan~! Over here~!" Sanji waved, the crutches next to the bar.
They waved back and settled down next to Usopp to the cook's disappointment.
"Where're the others?" Usopp asked.
"Oh," Nami tucked he money away after ordering a drink for her and Robin. "Zoro's with Chopper, Franky's with Brooke… wasn't Luffy supposed to be with you guys?"
Sanji and Usopp looked at each other, then nodded slowly.
Nami sighed. "Ugh, it happened again…"
"… We lost Luffy," Sanji finished. He took a drag of his cigarette.
"We'll find him sooner or later," Robin smiled.
"Later," Usopp, Sanji, and Nami simultaneously replied.
With a giggle, Robin opened a map. "How unusual… This place depends on the income from the bars and liquor stores. It's the only source of income…"
"Really?" Nami glanced over at the map. "Any treasure?"
They were beginning to get comfortable in the bar, when their peace was disrupted.
A very drunk man hobbled over to where the pirates sat. He leaned unsteadily against the counter and grinned at the girls. "Hey there, sweeties… You got some nice looks going for ya… Mind if I buy ya a round of drinks? Then we could go to my place-"
He never got to finish his offer, because Sanji didn't have to see Nami's affronted and angry expression or Robin's unsmiling face. When it came to women, he always acted, and it didn't matter that his leg wasn't healed.
Before anyone could blink, a black leg rushed through the air and knocked the man out cold. He slid to the ground with a bunch of broken teeth and a groan.
Usopp glanced down with surprise and awe. He wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that.
Of course, the action hadn't been without punishment. Sanji's agony flared once more, but he stayed on his feet.
Without speaking, he painfully got his crutches.
"Sanji-kun…" Nami started.
"It's nothing," he responded. Sanji didn't regret it and he merely flinched.
Not long after, they collected their belonging and the cook limped back to the ship.
0~0~0
The day when the last of Sanji's cramps had disappeared and Chopper proclaimed he was completely recovered was a day of unabashed joy and celebration. He had to be more careful with himself and add some new stretches and training to his repertoire so this wouldn't happen again, but that was nothing.
Early on Chopper had said if he didn't take it easy and let himself heal there was a strong possibility he would never be able to use the Red Leg style again, or even walk. That temporary paralysis to begin with had been just a taste.
Yet, Sanji could put most of that behind him. There were just a few things left to do.
He walked out on the deck and was greeted with a playful wind. It didn't take long for the cook to locate the swordsman, snoring underneath the shade of the lone tree.
Sanji took aim and sent a solid kick into Zoro's ribs. There was a satisfying sound and a cry as his shoe met the man's side and the aftershock in his legs was a pleasant one.
Zoro spewed a stream of curses at the cook, but he only grinned, tossed a jar into the air and caught it.
"There's more where that came from, shitty marimo."
Yes, he was back and better than ever. Now, he only needed to finish that peach dessert for the ladies and he'd be perfectly content.
0~0~0
Author's Note: I'm getting on the one short a week track again, with this one a day late. I had a lot of fun with this one. Sanji's a fun character to write and I know he's a favorite. But, the wait is over, here he is for you to squeeze, love and molest. Don't worry he won't mind. ;)
Oh, why peaches, you may ask? Because they're yummy, sweet and the first thing that popped into my head. This whole short is a mix of random ideas that I might want to expand on. For instance, Zoro making sushi… oh come on! It's so obvious he'd make that kind of food, and onigiri. ^^ How original! If you couldn't guess what Luffy was saying it was, "Wow Zoro! This really good!" and "Sorry, Nami."
I don't have much to say, but thanks for the reviews so far, especially the helpful ones, I appreciate them so much and for the overall support. You guys make me want to keep on writing. The victim of the next short is Chopper- our favorite little reindeer encounters fur traders and changes his mind about something.