Yo! *pops up with a chapter after absence with no explanation*
I'm sorry this chapter's a bit shorter than others but it will return to normal length soon. I just need to wait until I have more time and can concentrate on writing this instead of essays.
I'm sorry if the characters are occ
Disclaimer: ONE PIECE SHALL BE MINE! MWAHAHAHAHA! Lol no, never gonna happen, never has and never will.
Zoro sighed; he was sitting in the crow's nest trying to meditate. Trying. After the talk with the girls they left him to his thoughts. He knew the girls were going to pick up something, but they were wrong about him not knowing that he liked the cook. Zoro was aware that he was paying more attention to the cook more than he should, at first he thought it was just a crush that would fade but it eventually gotten stronger and now he doesn't know what to think. The girls just cleared it up and solidified his theory that he might like the cook. He didn't think it would be romantically though, he thought it would just be something that would pass. How very wrong he was.
Zoro suddenly called up a mental image of the cause of his problems. The gold hair, the blue eye, the stupid eyebrow, the ever present smoke and most recently matching ears and tails and Zoro felt himself warm up inside. He groaned and banged his head against the wall in frustration. Ok, so he likes the cook and it's not just a little thing either, full on romantically. Well that's just dandy.
Zoro rubbed his head as he sat down and sorted thought what he had been thinking and what the girls had said to him. Now that he's aware of his feelings he realised he has been feeling it for a while now, he just never acknowledged it or trained them away. He's never liked anyone before so suddenly being aware that he likes someone is mind boggling.
Sami had told him that foxes only normally only have one mate for their whole life. So if he manages to impress Sanji, the cook would be his for the rest of his life (or so he was told from a girl who was winking at him teasingly). Sami also warned him that Sanji can be extremely dense, much to Zoro's amusement, and that once he has sorted out his own feelings he should just try asking directly.
"Ok then." Zoro slapped his cheeks and gave a shake. "No more dwelling! You're Roronoa fucking Zoro! You can do this!" He scolded himself before nodding and began thinking about what the cook likes. Really how hard could seducing the idiot be?
"So you want some pointers huh?" Sami smiled, blowing out a cloud of smoke. After a slight argument with Sanji she somehow had managed to get him to give her a few cigarettes. With all the idiots she surrounded with, she will need some type of drug in her system to keep herself happy. How Nami and Robin can put up with it for so long without murdering someone or taking drugs is beyond her.
Zoro had just gone up to Sami and asked what her brother liked, much to her amusement, with blushing cheeks.
Sami took one more drag before putting out the cigarette. "I don't really have any pointers but I can tell you about his habits and things you don't know about him." Sami smiled cheekily, "I honestly don't believe that telling you this will help you, you're already good enough; just go ask him directly."
Zoro shifted uncomfortably at the sudden change in attitude from the woman. When he had gone up to Sami to learn more about the cook he was given a very detailed warning of what the sister of his object of affections would do to him. Just listening what she would do if Sanji was ever hurt made Zoro wince. But only slightly, after all he was the 'Demon' of East Blue! But then Sami was an actual demon so a wince was acceptable. Thinking about Sami being a demon reminded Zoro of the other two female members of the ship and female enemies the Strawhats encountered. Zoro suddenly realised that all women are bat shit crazy. Note to self: never underestimate a woman; if you do scary shit will happen.
"Hello? Earth to Endamame?" Sami waved her hand in front of Zoro's face and got no response. Sami paused for a second before making a huge act of reaching for Zoro's swords. At the action Zoro snapped back to the present with a sudden wave of Déjà vu, as he glared at Sami.
"Ok, ok, no one will touch them." Sami raised her hands in surrender, arching her eyebrow, as if she was unimpressed with the glare that would usually send people running for the hills. "You want my advice on courting my baby brother and here's what I'm going to tell you."
Sami took a deep breath. "Just. Do it. I'm told you then and I'm telling you now. Go for it, have 5 seconds of courage, say what you want and how you feel. When he answers your feelings, have a talk with him. Take it slow and easy, don't be so prideful and stubborn and tell each other when you're uncomfortable and you want to stop."
"But what if he doesn't return my feelings? What if he's disgusted with me? What if he hates me and wants to leave the ship? Oh god that's exactly what's going to happen, I'll tell him my feelings and he'll hate me and eave the ship Then it will be my fault and then the crew will blame me and then I will have to leave and… and…" Zoro began to panic, completely oblivious to how little sense he was making. Sami stared deadpanned at the scenarios the swordsman was coming up with and face palmed. Another reason why I don't want to fall in love, I do not want to become an irrational person because I let my feelings get ahead of me. Sami straightened up and slapped the swordsman across the head, causing him to stop and look up with a surprised look.
"Pull yourself together! You're Roronoa Zoro, a grown ass man who most people consider a demon!" Sami scolded. "You're a master of the three swords style who's aiming to be the best! Are you really going to be so paranoid about this? Be the man you are and think rationally!"
Zoro blinked and stared at the irritated fox-girl, her tails fluffing up and swishing behind her with her ears flat on her head kind of ruined the effect of trying to look threatening. In fact it just reminded Zoro of Chopper when he was trying to scold the crew for not looking out for their injuries after a battle. Now that he snapped out of his panic mode, he started to laugh at the mental image of comparing the reindeer-human and fox demon girl. All Sami did was raise her curly eyebrow as her ears stood up straight again in confusion at the sudden laughing fit the swordsman was having.
"Ahahahaha, I'm sorry, it's just your tails and ears… Ahahaha," Zoro laughed before looking up again and smiling at Sami. "Thanks, I feel better now… but how can you be so sure he won't turn me down?" Zoro frowned again.
Sami couldn't help but smile. To think that one of the most prideful and stubborn men she's ever met is so insecure about confessing. I guess it just proves that everyone's human, no matter what.
Sami walked over and put her hand on Zoro's shoulder, reassuringly. "Don't worry, trust me on this one, he won't turn you down. Even if he did, which he won't, he won't hate you and he will let you leave with most of your pride." Sami stated firmly. "Sanji seems like the type who will reject you harshly but he's a big softie when it comes to romance, full on face to face confession will definitely earn brownie points from him. Also don't panic if he seems to react negatively, he just trying to process things in his head." Sami snorted. "He's use to giving out compliments to others, just not very good on the receiving end."
Zoro went quiet for a moment thinking about how he was going to do this. Soon Sami saw steam coming out of the swordsman's ears and was going red in the face as she sweat dropped. Looks like he's just as clueless as my baby brother in the love department…
Sami sighed before looking at Zoro with exasperation. "How about you practice with me? I look pretty much identical to him; once you're confident enough you can go tell the real thing." Sami pointed out.
At this Zoro lifted his head and stared at Sami. That… actually wasn't a bad idea.
"You don't mind?" Zoro asked hesitantly.
Sami smiled again. "Its fine, it's perfectly understandable to be nervous, no one is calm when it comes to confessing. It's literally throwing your heart out there with a chance of being caught and treasured or fall to the ground and be stomped on."
Zoro sweat dropped at her description. Well that sure was a confidence boost he thought sarcastically. He straightened his back and glared at Sami and opened his mouth but before he could say anything Sami was already shaking her head.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to confess or prepare for a death match? Try again, be more relaxed and don't glare." Sami scolded, giving out pointers of what Zoro was doing wrong.
Zoro growled and tried again, relaxing slightly and trying to soften his glare. Now all he was doing was scowling.
"Also stop scowling, it's not very attractive." Sami told he swordsman.
"That's my face." Zoro growled out, "I was born with it."
"You're born with a permanent scowl? Really?" Sami paused, "can you at least try to smile?"
As Zoro attempted, Sami started shaking her head again. "Don't do that, you look like a pedo. Try turning it down a notch."
After a few more tries Sami was finally satisfied with the result. Zoro on the other hand was staring to get more annoyed than nervous. Confessing's a pain, why am I doing this again? It's just a question and a statement.
"So are you going to say something?" Sami pointed out, continueing when she got the swordsman's attention again. "Endamame, I want you to pretend that I am Sanji, once you got that, confess."
Zoro rolled his eyes slightly and did as he was instructed. It really wasn't that hard, she really did look identical to the cook; she was even flat-chested enough to pass for a man to some people. Zoro imagined that in Sami's place was the cook. With the golden hair, the grey-blue eye, curly eyebrow, the cigarette…
Zoro opened his mouth. "I-I-I-I…"
Zoro frowned, the stammering wasn't supposed to happen.
"It's fine, take as long as you need, try again when you're ready." Sami smiled encouragingly.
Zoro kept frowning but he opened his mouth again. Only this time no sound came out. Zoro gave a frustrated groan and silently berated himself. Argh man up already Zoro! It's just a few words, just get it out there!
Zoro took a few deep breaths, opened his eyes and stared at Sami in the eye. He saw the cook's smiling face and he opened his mouth again.
"I like you."
"Huh?"
At the sudden intrusion of a new voice Sami and Zoro whipped their heads in the direction of the doorway and saw… Sanji standing at the doorway, staring wide-eyed and mouth gaping. Ah, shit. Both thought simultaneously.
Sanji started to gain a pink tinge across his cheeks. "I'm so-so-rry, I uh didn't mean to um intrude…uh" Sanji began to stammer, his blush deepened and he bowed deeply. "Excuse me!"
With that Sanji fled from the door leaving behind a gobsmacked sister and swordsman. The remaining two stared at the door for a while.
"…Did he just?"
"I think so."
"He misunderstood."
Silence.
"Well what are you waiting for?! Go chase after him!" Sami snapped out of her previous stupor and gestured wildly at the swordsman.
Sami's wild gesturing snapped Zoro out of his own stupor. "Oh, shit!" he yelped and he chased after the cook.
Sami sighed and shook her head before laughing at the simple misunderstanding that every couple she came across had experienced. Once that's cleared up, there'll be a new couple on the ship. Sami thought gleefully.
Around the same time Zoro started talking to Sami…
Sanji was in the kitchen and preparing for the day's lunch and he was humming a small tune, slightly swaying to the beat in his head. As he was cooking he didn't notice Nami and Robin slip in quietly so they can have a talk with him about certain affections but they decided to listen to Sanji's humming and sounds of cooking for little while, enjoying the relaxing sound of rhythmic chopping and Sanji's humming. While they were finishing of the rest of their drinks that Sanji always made them they were surprised to hear Sanji open his mouth and started to sing actual words. At least they think its words; it's nothing like they've ever heard of, with different accents and completely different pronunciations. It's was completely foreign and nothing like they've ever heard of. The girls continued to listen in awe and were surprised at how good the cook was at singing. Every note seemed in tune and the song seems well rehearsed. But they were disappointed when the cook finally turned around and stopped at the sight of the two girls sitting at the table listening to him.
"N-Nami-san? Robin-chan?" Sanji asked surprised before flushing slightly. "…Did you hear?"
"Yes we did indeed, Cook-san, and I must say that your singing voice is quite good." Robin replied.
"Yeah! But what were the weird words you were singing? It didn't sound like our language." Nami wondered.
"Ah, that was a song in the language of English." Sanji replied, mostly over his embarrassment of being caught singing. "What I was singing before was the song 'Fireflies'. It's a song by 'Owl City'."
"Can you translate the lyrics for us?" Robin inquired, smiling slightly.
"Hmm, I not sure, but I can try." Sanji smiled back. He thought for a little bit before finally looking up and translated the lyrics.
"You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave tear drops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep"
As Sanji finished Nami sighed happily. "Sounds like a very romantic song and it's not even about love."
"It does have very lovely lyrics and a beautiful tune." Robin mused, polishing off the remaining of her drink. "And you do have a very lovely voice, Cook-san."
"Thank you." Sanji blushed again at the compliments he was getting. He never really was good at receiving compliments; he might be bad as Chopper when it comes down to it.
"So, what do you want to talk to me about ladies?" Sanji questioned, smirking slightly with a glint in his eye.
Robin and Nami were surprised but then they smirked as well.
"Down to business, huh? Seems like you institutions are better now, Sanji-kun." Nami looked over at Sanji resting her chin on her hands. "But I not too surprised."
"I have gained memories of a past life, Nami-san. I wouldn't be too surprised either, not only I have animal instincts, but I also have another life's worth of experience." Sanji chuckled. "Brook, Sami and I have formed an 'already died once' club."
The girls' smiles widened slightly at the joke. But there was also another reason why they were smiling.
"If that's the case then… Sanji-kun, what are your feelings for Zoro?" Nami asked.
Sanji blinked and tilted his head to the side. "The marimo? What about him?"
Nami stared at the simple reply. No blushing, stammering or denial, just a genuine curious question with a blank look.
"I believe the first question we should have asked was if Cook-san was ever in love." Robin explained to Nami before looking over to Sanji. "Have you ever been in love, Cook-san?"
Sanji blinked again but this time there was a slight pink flush. "Love? I'm not too sure… I have felt attraction but I'm not sure about love…"
"Hmm" Robin hummed thoughtfully. "I suppose true love does take time for it to manifest. We've heard from Dancer-san that neither you or she are very easy at falling in love."
"That's true." Sanji nodded in confirmation.
"She also told us the specific feelings you felt when you're around Swordsman-san, such as feeling warm and fuzzy inside?"
"…also…true…"
"We also heard you were rather dense when it comes to your own love life, so we've decided to help you in gaining the affections of Zoro!" Nami explained with a big smile.
"True… wait, pardon?" Sanji stared at the two girls, slightly shocked. "You think I might be in love with the marimo?"
The two girls nodded and they stared nervously to see how Sanji would react. Would he flat out deny it? Would he laugh at the idea? Would he be shocked and disgusted with such a suggestion?
Sanji was only quiet, much to the girls' suspense, before he spoke softly. "Let me process that for a moment, if you don't mind ladies."
"…That would explain the weird feeling I get around the shitty swordsman." Sanji mused and shrugged slightly. "I wouldn't call it love just yet but to think I would fall for a directionless swordsman…geez I have really low standards."
"So you're not gonna deny it?" Nami asked.
Sanji smiled at Nami, his tails swishing slightly behind him. "No, as I said before I have already lived a life, nothing really fazes me to me honest right now. All I need to do is think rationally and calmly." Sanji tilted his head again. "I've never been in love before...but I suppose actual love will take time to manifest as Robin-chan said. You start with something small and eventually it'll grow, is that correct?" Sanji aimed the question at Nami and Robin.
"Yes, that is true, Cook-san" Robin smiled.
"Now that you know about your feelings, are you going to confront Zoro?" Nami questioned.
Sanji thought for a bit. "Think I might, however I'm not sure how Zoro would react." Sanji twitched his ears nervously. "I don't think the directionless child would have a problem with a man liking him, but I don't believe it would be easy to gain the affections of the mosshead."
Robin and Nami smiled knowingly, it was all going according to plan. Right about now Sami should be having a talk with Zoro about the cook with they were talking to Sanji. If things go well then the swordsman and cook would start dating.
"Would it make you feel better that we suspect that Swordsman-san might like you too?" Robin suggested.
At this mention Sanji stared. The swordsman likes him? Zoro? They were talking about the same person, right?
"That can't be possible, Robin-chan. That marimo swordsman concentrates way too hard to fulfil his dream to have any time for something simple as relationships." Sanji explained, shaking his head at the idea. But then when the swordsman does fulfil his dream what will he do? Probably stare at nothing for a bit after his victory and go 'ok. What now?' Sanji snickered slightly at that. Yeah the kelp head would definitely do that.
"You never know until you try." Nami insisted. "You two are one of our top fighters. Not only that you two have one of the most stressful jobs on this crew. Sanji-kun, not only are you in charge of every single one of our diets, but you constantly looking out for everyone in fights as much as Zoro does as first mate. Zoro needs to take on the load of always watching out for our idiot captain and being co-captain when needed. Both of you idiots have been taking too much stress and I believe that you are exactly what Zoro needs as much as you are what Zoro needs."
"If you're worried about anyone on the crew not accepting you relationship, don't worry. I'm sure Captain-san would have a talk with them." Robin added. "This isn't just getting into a relationship anymore, you two need each other as support."
Sanji bowed his head in thought, before smiling slightly and looked up again. "I guess I can go for 5 seconds."
"Huh?" Nami was slightly confused at the answer. Robin only waited for the cook to continue.
"5 seconds of courage. It's something that helped my sister when she had a slight case of stage fright, she would calm herself down and just think 'I don't care if I look stupid, I'm just going to go out there and give it my all, have 5 seconds of absolute courage and it will flow along.' If she doesn't have do the '5 seconds of courage' she most likely would have never doe half of the things she was afraid of." Sanji explained.
Nami smiled. "Then what are you waiting for? 5 seconds are 5 seconds, get moving! The seconds don't last forever. Zoro's right in the aquarium room!"
"Yes ma'am!" Sanji saluted and he rushed off. Robin and Nami smiled and laughed. No matter how hard Sanji tries to look cool, his inner adorkableness always shines through. Even with a new set of memories, Sanji will always be Sanji and neither of the two girls would ever change anything about him.
5 seconds, you just need 5 seconds! Sanji stopped in front of the door. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
"I like you."
"Huh?"
Sanji froze. Zoro was in the room with his sister and they were facing each other and were giving him stunned looks. Sanji quickly read the situation.
"I'm so-so-rry, I uh didn't mean to um intrude…uh" Sanji could feel himself flushing and he bowed deeply. "Excuse me!"
Sanji quickly fled, feeling confused about what just happened. Did Zoro just confess? To Sami? Well Sanji has no objections to that, if the shitty swordsman hurt her he will first suffer pain both mentally and physically from both of the twins. Its fine, Sanji gets it. Sami is a beautiful woman and not only that she's extremely strong too so she can hold her own in a fight and besides what were the chances of Zoro even liking a guy who always teases him and fights him? It's fine.
Sanji gritted his teeth. Its fine, it makes sense and yet…
Why does he still feel the stab of pain in his heart?
Oh dramatic! *DUN DUN DUUUUN!*
I always find it funny how that nearly every couple goes through the misunderstanding that they like another person. It actually kinda makes me feel sorry for them to go through such cliques.
Please review and give me comebacks!
-Kagu-chan