A/N: Hey guys, here's the next chapter. Please let me know what you all think. Leave a review, they make my day! :D
When she next awoke, she was in a small bed in an unfamiliar room and she jerked upright. Heavy bandages covered her chest and wrapped around each leg. She looked around wildly, then immediately relaxed, recognizing Chopper's office. Taking a steadying breath, she swung her legs over the side and tried to stand. Her legs didn't want to cooperate, however, and she tumbled to the floor in a heap. Well, at least her shorts were still on, she thought, as the door opened.
A blond head poked in and, seeing her on the floor, immediately put down the tray he'd been carrying and went to her. He knelt down and lifted her like she weighed nothing and she quickly grabbed his shoulders.
"Ah, thank you, Sanji-kun," she said with a small smile, "It seems my legs are not on my side today."
"I'm surprised you're awake, Tiri-chan, after all that energy you used. You should be asleep for at least another day, though I'm glad you're not," he murmured quietly.
"What? I've been out for a day?" she squeaked, wriggling a little in his grasp in surprise.
"Yes, but you seem to have quite the stamina, to be up already," he chuckled as he bent to place her back in her bed, pulling the covers over her legs.
She stopped him by taking his hand when he went to straighten and he made a startled noise. She looked up at him sweetly and tugged till he was eye-level with her. She cupped his face in her hands, plucked out his cigarette and placed a soft kiss on his lips before handing the smoke stick back with a smile.
"I owed you that from yesterday," she said, "Thank you, Sanji-kun, you let me gain back my honor."
His blush was completely worth it and she quickly grabbed a towel to help with his nose bleed. Once it had stopped, he brought over the tray of food and she stopped him again when he turned to leave.
"If you're not busy, I'd love some company," she said as she sipped at the soup he had made her.
He hesitated, something flashing behind his eyes and she immediately put down her spoon and reached out to touch his hand.
"You're upset with me, aren't you," she asked softly, lowering her eyes and biting her lip.
Tiri heard him light a match as she set the tray aside and pulled her knees to her chest, curling her arms loosely around them. Her chest felt tight, but her face remained unreadable. He blew out a stream of smoke before shoving his hands in his pockets and leaning a hip against the desk next to her bunk.
"Yeah, I am."
She nodded, knowing exactly why.
"I couldn't let you guys fight for me when I could handle it myself. I-"
"Tiri," he cut her off, his tone sharper than a knife, "You nearly died out there and we almost didn't get to you in time."
She flinched, his words hitting her like a whip. He let out a breath, reaching out a hand to gently grasp her chin to make her look at him. His eye widened and she guessed he may have seen how bright hers were right then. Quickly, she blinked them. Shame was acceptable, you could learn from it, to avoid it. Tears were not and she met his gaze evenly.
"I know," she replied in a low voice, "But I won't say that I'm sorry about that, only that I caused you worry."
He let out another stream of smoke, lifting his fingers to flick the butt out of the porthole. He shook his head, breathing deeply before pulling around a chair with his free hand and straddling it. Sanji regarded her quietly, one hand's fingers gently stroking her cheek, in an almost absent gesture. She could see that he was thinking hard and she shifted in the bed until she sat cross-legged, their knees nearly touching over the edge of the bunk.
"What do you think we would all do if something truly terrible had happened to you?" he asked and she chewed on her lower lip, her eyes downcast.
She felt very much like a child being scolded, but she was pretty sure she deserved it. Tiri wasn't sure she could speak right then, so she just nodded, her hand coming up to cover his larger one.
"I would have leveled that island, regardless of whom or what lived there," he said, the flatness of his tone making her shudder, but she nodded again as he continued, "Our nakama would have done the same."
"What more do you want me to say, Sanji?" she questioned, giving voice to the uncertainty that weighed on her shoulders uncomfortably and nearly smothering in its heaviness, though there remained a smidge of prideful anger.
He sighed, bringing his other hand to cup her face in his palms and looking into her eyes seriously.
"I want a promise that you'll never do something that reckless again," his face was inscrutable.
"How can I make you that promise when we all do acts that put us in that kind of danger? How is that fair?" she protested, sounding more and more like a child in her own ears. Still, she felt her point was valid.
"Heh, I guess you have a point there," he muttered and she scowled at him.
"Just that easy?" she asked incredulously.
"No," he replied, releasing her face long enough to rise and kick the chair back before pulling her up onto her knees, his lanky arms wrapping around her torso.
"Then what-"
His face was very close, his eye level with hers.
"You," he cut her off, one hand slipping to the curve of her lower back while the other slid up to hold her firmly in place, "owe me a lot more than that small kiss for the stunt you pulled."
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, her heart hammering against her ribs while her hands came to rest against his chest. Then he pulled away with a smirk to stand just at the edge of the bunk. Sanji bent at the waist to look her in the eyes, mischief playing across his features.
"But I don't think you're in any shape for me to collect at the moment," he chuckled, the sound making a shiver want to dance down her spine, but she resisted.
She reached out and poked him hard in the stomach instead. He grunted, then chuckled.
"Oi, oi, I get the point," he teased, standing away from her with a grin, "Now, finish your food, I'm going to prepare something for Luffy before he eats the mast."
"Good idea, I'd hate to be adrift in this sea due to our captain couldn't contain himself with a crew that blamed me for it because I was distracting the cook," she laughed as he lit a cigarette.
He smiled at her, taking his cigarette in hand with a wave and left. She finished her meal and placed the empty tray on the small side table near her bed. Tiri lay back against the pillows, discovering a small pile of books nearby. Robin must have brought them. As the light faded, she heard a knock on the door and laid down the novel she had dived into.
"Come in," she called with a light tone and was surprised at her visitor.
"Hello there, Franky, what brings you by to see me?" she asked with a welcoming smile and the big man rubbed the back of his neck, one hand hidden behind his back.
"Well, I brought you something that might cheer you up," he replied with a grin and pulled out a key, carved at the top with a lilac blossom.
"What's this?" she asked, taking the key from his outstretched hand with a curious expression.
"It's for your new room. When you're able, I'll show you where it is. I added to the library a bit, so you can have your own bed and the like. That sofa can't be all that comfortable and-"
"That's perfect, thank you, Franky, it's most generous," she said, holding up a hand to stop the flow of nervous words.
After a few days, she was well enough that she could leave Chopper's little room and, with Franky's key in hand, she went to the library and immediately spotted the new door. When she placed the key in the lock and opened it, she lost her breath. It was stunning, hand carved furniture, lilacs growing along their sides and lengthwise across the bunk that was her bed, which had been thoughtfully placed beneath a porthole. They had even thought of how much she loved sunshine? He had lined shelves along the walls and had built her a small desk. There was even a trunk for the new clothes she had bought. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. This was such a beautiful gesture from her nakama and she had no way of repaying it. What had she done to deserve such a kindness?
"You're just you, Tiri-chan. A lovely woman deserves a lovely room," Sanji's voice said from behind her and she turned.
Since when had she developed the habit of talking out loud?
"Ah, such a beautiful expression," He commented with a genuine smile.
"No, no, this," she gestured, shaking her head, "is a beautiful expression. I really will have to find something extra special to thank Franky for this."
Sanji suddenly turned serious, lighting a cigarette with a smooth motion.
"Why, Tiri-chan? This is what he loves to do. By repaying him, you would be lessening the gesture. If you want to thank him, smile every time you come in here."
She hadn't thought of it like that, she admitted to herself and nodded.
"You are right," she said with a smile, "But I should still tell him how much I love it."
The cook nodded and she crossed her arms loosely as she leaned against the door jam.
"Anyway, Sanji-kun, what'd you come by for?"
He blew out a ring of smoke before stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"I wanted to see your reaction when you saw the room, and-"
She raised a brow when he went silent. "And what?"
"You seem to never be at a lack for words, Tiri-chan," he replied, changing the subject and she grinned, allowing it.
"When it occurs, take cover, something bad is happening," she laughed.
"I won't doubt it. Ah, that reminds me, may I escort the lady to dinner?" he asked with a small bow, a mischievous smile playing around his lips.
"What woman could refuse?" she replied with a grin, straightening.
He offered her his arm and she took, both of them striding onto the deck, which was coated in a light drizzle. She knew that she needed to get stronger. It was time to step up her training. Hopefully, it wasn't going to kill her in the process. She still had quite a bit to do.
Tiri swore as steel bit deeply into the flesh of her palm. A crimson line formed, a red slash down the length of her hand and she grimaced before closing it in a fist. She clutched the hand to her chest, biting her lip in pain. She looked up from the wound at the swordsman, gritting her teeth.
"How-how did you do that?" she ground out and he shrugged, shouldering the two training swords he wielded.
"It wasn't like it was difficult," he said matter-of-factly and she scowled, tearing off a piece of her shirt and wiping up the thin trickle of blood.
She had summoned a single tendril, trying to conserve her energy and he had flung it back at her with just the flat of the blade, the razor sharp edge of it slicing into her hand. This wasn't what she had in mind when he had said he would help her strengthen her abilities.
"I don't have enough control over them, it seems," she replied calmly, more so than she felt. What would be the point of getting pissy about it?
Ignoring the throbbing ache in her hand, she straightened then leaned back against the wall, her arms loosely crossed beneath her breasts. Her eyes were focused on her bare feet, crossed at the ankles. Tiri frowned as Zoro merely stood nearby, letting her work out whatever is was that was going through her mind.
"I need to create something different, something that isn't as draining," she murmured, thinking out loud, her silvery eyes closing in concentration.
"The attack I used on the last island should be for a large number of enemies only. So, the question becomes, how can I make a single tendril effective enough to take down one opponent? You turned it aside so easily. Then…"
She trailed off, lifting away from the wall, a glint in her eyes as they opened, determination etched into her features and Zoro gave her an appraising look. Flexing her hands, she darted, disappearing in a blur. In their weeks of training, she had picked up this smallest of tricks he had attempted to teach her. But, for her, it was merely a diversionary tactic. Her unhurt hand gestured, a tendril flying out and Zoro deftly parried the attack. However, she whipped her body around, her leg coming up, tendrils wrapping around it, spiny and thick. She kicked from the left as he was distracted and he leapt back, barely dodging with a feral grin. Nimbly, he caught her leg with a single hand.
"Not bad, witch, you thought that one through," he chuckled and she smiled, dropping her stance as he dropped her leg.
"Well, it never hurts to experiment," she answered mildly, stretching; "I think I've had enough for today."
He snorted. "You tire too quickly."
"It isn't that, Sanji-kun promised me that he'd teach me how to make something special today."
She walked to where she had tossed her towel, shoving it over her head and rubbing away the sweat briskly. Ick, she still needed to take a shower, she thought with a sniff. Zoro gave her a look and she glowered at him.
"What's your problem, bonehead?"
He shrugged in reply before speaking. "Just wondering what you see in that curly-cook."
"More than you ever will," she shot back with a broad grin and he grimaced.
"Didn't need that mental image, witch," he growled.
"That's what I'm here for!" she called before disappearing down the hatch.
The wind was strong today, so she easily descended, hopping down to the grass with a light step. She rushed her bath, twisting her still damp hair into a loose braid. Following the scent of cigarette smoke, she strode to the galley, lifting a hand with a bright smile at the play of some of her younger nakama. Tiri walked through the door, humming a nameless tune that was playing through her head at that moment. Brooke, who has seated at the table sipping his trademark cup of tea, chatting idly with Sanji as he prepared the evening meal. The skeleton turned to acknowledge the lavender-haired pirate with his usual toothy grin.
"Yohohohoho, Tiri-san, what is that song you're humming? I've never heard it."
Tiri lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "I don't know, exactly. I'm always making up music. It goes with being made out of flowers," she joked, "How can I do less than what is expected of me?"
"Indeed, still, let me see, let me see…" Brooke trailed off, unfolding his tall body from the chair and walking out of the door, a finger tapping against the hard bone of his jaw in thought.
Tiri watched him leave, and then shrugged again, coming around the long table and into the kitchen. Sanji watched her move with a smile and Tiri was pleased to see no heart eyes or nose bleeds. Well, her training outfit of t-shirt and long pants wasn't exactly as revealing as some of the clothes Nami wore, so perhaps he was becoming immune to the lesser charms of the feminine form.
She hoped so at least, there weren't any towels handy right then.
"Hello, Sanji-kun," she greeted him brightly, padding across the floor to lean back against the counter near the sink as he chopped vegetables.
"Tiri-chan," he murmured with a shy smile, cigarette dangling from the corner of his lips. It surprised her that after all the encounters they had, he could still be nervous around her. To be honest, she found it endearing.
They stood in companionable silence for a while as she watched him work. The steady sound of his knife thumping against the cutting board relaxed her. Something about cooking always made her feel that way. Perhaps that was why she was so comfortable around Sanji, except when he gave her the heart eyes; that was just weird. Still, she pushed away from the counter and crossed the kitchen. Tiri hopped and landed easily on the countertop next to him, pulling her legs under her to sit cross-legged, her chin cupped in a palm.
"What are you going to show me how to make?" she queried, tilting her head and rubbing at her cold toes.
"I hadn't really planned yet. But, why don't you tell me what your favorites are, and we'll see," he asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Eh, alright, good idea. Well, I love strawberries, and rice. I really like seafood, so being a pirate is easy in that respect. Hmmm, that's all I can think of at the moment," she replied, her expression one of idle contentment.
He chuckled.
"Well, that's an easy list. I think we have some strawberries left, why don't I make some tarts for you?"
She clapped her hands together with a huge grin, excitement making her silvery eyes sparkle.
"Awesome!" she chirped, unfolding her legs and dangling them over the side, still grinning.
He returned her smile, stopping to take the last pull on his cigarette before flicking it away and shoving his hands in his pockets as he shuffled to the large pantry. He emerged a moment later with a small basket, setting it down. He then dumped all the freshly chopped vegetables into the pot on the stove, a delicious scent gliding past Tiri's nose and making her mouth water. Cleaning his knife, he then carefully cut off the green leaves at the top of the fruit, red juice leaking onto the new board he was using. She dipped a finger in the sweet liquid, closing her eyes in pleasure at the taste as she popped the digit into her mouth, licking her lips to insure that she caught every drop.
In sheer happiness, she started humming again, and then jerked upright when she heard the sound of a fiddle complimenting her tune.
"Wha?" she asked in surprise, turning her head and leaning over to peer out over the sink towards the doorway in curiosity, music floating in the air merrily.
"Oi? That's your song?" Sanji asked, lighting another cigarette and cocking his head, "It's very lively."
"Well, yeah, it's a little tune I made up this morning, but it seems like Brooke added some touches of his own. I rather like it," she commented with a bright smile, bobbing her head.
He had moved before she turned her head back, startling her a bit at his proximity.
"Tiri," he murmured, a hand lifting to brush a stray lilac-colored curl away from her face, tucking it behind her ear, "Do you know how lovely you are when you smile like that?"
She shook her head, unexpectedly very nervous. Tiri's tongue darted out to wet her suddenly dry lips and she gave him a small smile.
"No, I don't, but it's something a girl never gets tired of hearing," she joked weakly and he chuckled quietly, his hand moving from her hair to cup her cheek.
"Never at a loss for words, are you?" he asked softly, repeating the question he had asked her before and she shook her head with a crooked grin.
He made a quiet "Hmmm," and leaned forward until his forehead rested against hers, closing his eyes and Tiri's searched his face for some clue of his intent. Then, he reached up again, lacing his fingers with her smaller ones and placing them both over his heart. She could feel its beating, nearly as hard as hers, and she swallowed.
"You do this, you know," he whispered, a smile curving his lips before he stepped back, letting her hand fall away and she placed both of them on the counter at her sides.
Sanji wordlessly pointed her to the sink as he stepped back, a thoughtful expression on his face and she moved, reaching in to begin deveining shrimp. Like a well-rehearsed symphony, they worked around one another for some time, Tiri gently peeling away the shells and washing the meat under the running water before placing them in a clean bowl. Sanji stood near the stove, busily stirring and tweaking the simmering pots. She finished her task, washing her hands and making a face at the shriveled flesh of her palms.
Patting them dry, she nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt his body press close to her back.
"Sanji?" she squeaked and he gently plucked the towel from her hands and turned her to face him.
Without a word, he placed his hands on her waist and easily hoisted her to sit next to the sink.
"You seem much better, Tiri-chan," he murmured, his thumb stroking across her chin, "In fact it seems that you have completely recovered from your injuries. I'm glad."
She gulped, the glint in his eye making her feel very much like a sweet dessert that he found exceptionally delicious.
"Heh, so am I, to be honest," she replied, rubbing the back of her head, somewhat embarrassed by his penetrating scrutiny.
"Tiri-chan," he called her name, and she snapped her eyes to his, noting the crinkle at the corner as he smiled warmly at her.
"Your voice is lovely, but," his voice was almost a purr and she felt her cheeks heating, "for once, I'd like it if you had nothing to say."
Before she could ask what exactly that meant, he slanted his lips over hers, effectively silencing any reply she might have made. Tiri responded, her traitorous body one step ahead of her startled mindset. Her tongue met his as he slipped past lips that had parted in surprise, to taste the honeyed cavern of her mouth. Seemingly emboldened by her lack of dissent, he sipped at her lips, but Tiri was not a passive woman. In retaliation, she nipped at his lightly, making him groan. Heat lanced through her body at the sound, but then he pulled away.
"Sanji," she whispered as his lips found hers once more, her hands digging into his shoulders, bring their bodies a scant inch closer.
But, as his lips melded against hers, she noted the taste of cigarettes and something sweet. Her hands flexed when he slid his tongue out to taste the strawberry flavor that still lingered on her lower lip. Tiri's lips parted in a tiny gasp and he immediately took the advantage, his tongue darting past her lips to swirl around hers sensuously, letting out a groan when she answered. Heat crept over her flesh at just the contact of their lips, then flared in her abdomen as one of his hands trailed up her arm to cup the back of her neck, deepening the kiss, the other resting on her hip. She slid her own hands down his chest, enjoying the feel of the softness of his shirt over his lean chest, coming to rest there.
Finally, the need for air parted them, both of them breathing heavily. God help her, she was only human and a kiss like that would make any woman have the exact same reaction. But what did it mean? What did she mean? What did he mean to her? The questions whirled in her mind so fast it was dizzying. She needed to stop it now before they went too far. Besides, if his nose started bleeding heavily again-
His mouth was on hers again made her forget to argue with herself about the situation. Her hands fisted in his shirt as his lips left hers to skim across her jaw, and she heard him take a breath, his hand entangled in her hair as he buried his face in the violet curls, breathing in deeply.
"Kami, you smell good," he murmured, his lips brushing against her temple.
She chuckled weakly and closed her eyes, summoning a tiny portion of her power and the kitchen was suddenly flooded with the scent of lilacs. Tiri heard him make a sound and she smiled.
"It doesn't smell as good as your cooking, but," he cut her off with another kiss, but she pulled away gently, shaking her head.
"Sanji, I-I- we have to stop," she protested huskily and he gave her a look that clearly asked her why and she bit her lip.
"If you want to stop, don't do that," he said with a groan, capturing her lips again and she didn't stop him this time, his words making her stomach flutter, "And don't say my name like that," he muttered between kisses.
"The one is a habit and the other is your fault," she replied breathlessly when they parted once more, forcing the confusion in her mind down as he chuckled, both his hands cupping her face.
"I didn't hear you complain," he responded with a cocky grin and she lightly cuffed him in the shoulder.
"You didn't give me a chance," she objected, but his mouth peppering butterfly kisses against the curve of her jaw distracted her so that he could press their lips together once again.
This one was even more intense than the last, his hands moving from her hair to encircle her waist. It was mind-numbing, intoxicating, her back arching when his wicked fingers drug themselves along the curve of her spine. Who knew that she was so sensitive there? Her hands busied themselves dancing across his chest, her skin tingling when the pads of his fingertips brushed the back of her neck, making her shiver.
He broke from the kiss without warning and she reached for the towel again, the motion becoming almost automatic. Tiri held the clean end of the cloth to his nose as she leaned her forehead against his, panting lightly.
"If we keep this up," she heard him mutter, his warm breath fanning her cheek, "I don't know that I'll be able to stop."
"If we keep this up, you're going to need a blood transfusion," she laughed softly and Tiri saw him smile crookedly beneath the edge of the towel.
In truth, that was what she was worried the most about. Chopper and Usopp had told her the stories of his near death on the Fishman Island.
Distraction tactic 21: draw attention to the practical and mundane.
Who knew those lessons would ever be applied in a situation like this?
"So, are you going to show me how to make strawberry tarts or what?" she asked, still breathless as he let his head rest on her shoulder, his face pressed into her neck and his lips brushing the skin there, making her shudder lightly.
"Alright," came the muffled response close to her ear, his lanky arms coming from around her.
She smiled and they set to work.